People & Community

When Brooke Hesse began her college career, she knew she loved solving problems, but she also sensed something was missing. That search for a more creative, people-centered approach to technology led her to the College of Information Science. Now pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Information Science with an emphasis in Interactive and Immersive Technologies, Brooke has found a program that reflects how she wants to learn, lead and make an impact: at the intersection of data, design and human experience.

In honoring its first Alumnus of the Year, the College of Information Science celebrates a visionary career: and an inspiring model of public service, José Aponte, whose life’s work is etched in the communities he has served—library branches revived and reimagined, programs launched to meet urgent human needs and the quiet yet radical belief that knowledge is a public right.

Veronika Kyles is building from the broad industry and extracurricular activities she took part in as a Bachelor's in Cyber Operations student to focus on critical infrastructure security research in the MS in Cyber and Information Operations. A four-year member of the Pride of Arizona Marching Band, in this profile she speaks to the value of her diverse undergraduate experiences, offers advice for new InfoSci students and more.

As an ASUA student senator, Humza Sheikh—who is originally from RawalPindi, Pakistan—is a strong advocate for the student voice. Drawn to the investigative side of cybersecurity, from digital forensics to open-source intelligence, the Bachelor's in Cyber Operations student brings curiosity, resilience and a deep commitment to community in his studies and leadership roles at Arizona.

With a background as a philosophy professor and a deep interest in how humans perceive and misperceive reality, PhD student Rami El Ali brings a distinctive interdisciplinary lens to the PhD in Information. His work sits at the intersection of philosophy, virtual and augmented reality, game design and human–computer interaction. Learn more and view recent work in this student profile.

With a background in federal investigations and a passion for exploring the social-technical nexus, Lecturer Sarah Young says the College of Information Science is “the perfect place”—a community where students can dig into cutting-edge research and the societal dimensions that shape it. Read more about Dr. Young’s path, perspective and advice for InfoSci students in this faculty profile.

Originally from Chandler, Arizona, student Brandon Knox brings notable experience in finance and data analytics to his Master's in Data Science. A first-generation student, he finds satisfaction in mentoring fellow students, as well as participating in challenging team events like hackathons, most recently taking first place in the Amazon AWS Challenge for Hack Arizona 2025.

Susan Kaleita has helped shape the college’s connections to the world beyond campus. As the first to hold the role of director of strategic partnerships and external relations, she works closely with alumni, industry and community organizations that are, in her words, “vital for driving student career outcomes and enhancing the college’s reputation as a leader in information education and research.” Learn more about Susan’s work and passions in this staff profile.

Jialu Li joined the College of Information Science in Fall 2025 as an assistant professor after spending time at Carnegie Mellon University’s Language Technologies Institute. She holds a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In this profile, she discusses her interdisciplinary research, passions outside of academia, advice for current InfoSci students and more.

Renée DeVivo, a Game Design and Development major from Anthem, Arizona, has found both community and creativity in the College of Information Science. From leading Dungeons & Dragons campaigns to composing music for games, Renée is passionate about building connections and telling stories through interactive experiences.

A US Army veteran with two decades of service and a PhD in Cyber Defense from Dakota State University, Paul Wagner brings deep expertise in cyber defense, workforce development and applied learning to the U of A’s top-ranked Cyber Operations program. As a professor of practice, he combines military, industry and research experience to prepare students for real-world cybersecurity challenges.

Associate Professor Dr. Xiao Hu joined the College of Information Science in 2025 after advancing her research and teaching at the University of Hong Kong. In this profile, she opens up about her cutting-edge research on how AI can enhance human learning and wellbeing, the project-based approach that brings students directly into her teaching and her passions for exploring the outdoors—plus much more.

Online Master of Arts in Library and Information Science student Rujipa Laosin, who is originally from Thailand, has been selected as an ARL Kaleidoscope Scholar, a prestigious two-year program by the Association of Research Libraries. Learn more about Rujipa, including her passion for pottery and advice for other online MLIS students, in this student profile.

Sterling Godwin, a Phoenix native majoring in Information Science and Arts with a minor in Business Administration, overcame cancer before beginning his journey at the U of A and College of Information Science. The challenge may have delayed his education, but it never dimmed his passion for digital art and computing.

Associate Professor Brenton Stewart, who joined the college in 2025, studies information behaviors and practices, particularly information avoidance, needs, use and trust across disparate social-cultural contexts, institutions and artifacts. As a former academic librarian, he is especially interested in information behaviors of college students and the information ecology of academic libraries.