An interview with Sage Loyema Innerarity ’25MS.
What are the most impactful things you have done during your graduate program at Simmons?
One of the most impactful experiences I had during my graduate program was my time as a Summer 2024 Native American Fellow (NAF) in the Phillips Library at the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) in Salem, Massachusetts. During this fellowship, I had the privilege of meeting with PEM NAF alumnae/i working in the field, learning from PEM staff across departments, and even witnessing Cara Romero [a contemporary fine art photographer and enrolled member of the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe] in action.
In addition to the professional development opportunities this fellowship provided, I also built lasting professional and personal connections. I was also able to experience what it means for a colonial institution to value and center Indigenous knowledge and peoples in their work, which was deeply transformative and motivating. Moreover, I was able to put the skills and knowledge I gained as a result of Simmons’ School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) coursework into action through my own project at PEM.
My project centered on contextualizing the Native art in On This Ground: Being and Belonging in America, an exhibition that seeks to reframe and redefine “American” and Native American history while grappling with questions of belonging and community in the United States. After evaluating both the art in the exhibition and the materials in the Phillips Library’s collections, I collaborated with PEM staff to create a list of acquisitions from Indigenous-owned booksellers.
With key insights from Karen Kramer, PEM’s Stuart W. and Elizabeth F. Pratt Curator of Native American and Oceanic Art and Culture and NAF Program Director, my project sought to create cohesion and conversation between the Phillip’s Library’s Native American materials and the Peabody Essex Museum’s Native American art collection.
Did you participate in any internships during graduate school?
During my first semester at SLIS, I had the privilege of interning at the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Archives as part of my “Introduction to Archives” course taught by [formerly faculty member] Dr. Sumayya Ahmed.
During my internship, I had the pleasure of working under the guidance of Archivist Jacqueline Rider and Tribal Historic Preservation Officer David Weeden as I processed their oversized maps collection. After surveying, arranging, and creating a finding aid for the materials in the collection, I created guides and outlines to be used by future archives interns with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. This was my first time processing a collection, a task that felt daunting at first, but the guidance I received from my supervisors and the knowledge I gained from my coursework ultimately enabled me to complete the work.
After my internship, I maintained a working relationship with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Archives, and was invited to give a brief presentation about my work and the archives to a group of Mashpee Wampanoag students at Mashpee High School. This was definitely the highlight of my internship, and it was incredibly exciting to encourage young people to explore the field of archival science through engagement with their own tribal archives.
What was your favorite Simmons course and why?
My favorite course at Simmons was “Establishing Archives and Manuscripts Programs” (LIS 442) with faculty member Dr. John Ansley. The course is designed to be collaborative, allowing students to connect with one another and work in teams on two primary projects. These projects center around designing a strategic plan and applying for a processing and digitization grant for an assigned, hypothetical archive. We also learned what it means to manage an archive, develop a leadership style, and advocate for an archival program.
I deeply appreciated this class because it incorporated the archival skills I gained in previous coursework with my interests in archival leadership. As an Indigenous person, my work in this field is deeply motivated by a desire to work in tribal libraries, archives, and museums to expand their reach, programming, and capacities. Thus, these skills will prove essential as I work toward these goals in my own community and other Indigenous communities as well.
Who was your most inspirational Simmons professor/mentor and why?
Associate Professor Katherine Wisser was one of the first professors I engaged with when beginning my education at SLIS, and she was instrumental in placing me with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Archives for my field placement.
As a professor, Dr. Wisser encouraged open discourse and crafted assignments designed to challenge and expand our skill sets. Furthermore, Dr. Wisser went above and beyond, offering career guidance, advice, and supporting me in my pursuit of scholarships and internships to further my professional career.
As an Indigenous student in SLIS, her guidance and mentorship made me feel incredibly welcomed and encouraged throughout my degree program. I am thankful for her guidance and generosity of knowledge, and I know that she will remain a mentor and colleague long after my time at SLIS.
How did you find your community at Simmons?
The professors at SLIS worked hard to create a sense of community in each of my classes, where I met and connected with peers who are now some of my closest friends. Participating in leadership committees for the Students of Color at SLIS and the Student Chapter of the American Library Association allowed me to meet new people and develop programs centering the interests of my classmates.
As a Spectrum Scholar, I also felt a strong sense of community, and was actually invited into leadership roles by alumnae/i and former Spectrum Scholar Maria Lee ’23MS.
In your experience, what was the best part about attending graduate school in Boston?
As an aspiring cultural heritage professional, my favorite thing about living in Boston is the proximity and access to libraries, archives, and museums in the area. I was able to utilize my student status to go to these institutions at a discount or completely free, which made the experiences more accessible.
The number of cultural heritage institutions also offered many options in terms of finding internships and job opportunities. I currently work at the Boston Athenaeum as their Indigenous Collections Fellow, where I am working to recontextualize the Schoolcraft Collection and increase user access to these materials. I was also able to intern with the Sisters of St. Joseph as an oral history transcriber, and at the Massachusetts Historical Society as a Library Assistant I. These were incredible experiences, during which I not only expanded my networks and skills, but grew my love for the field.
What is your favorite Simmons memory?
My favorite Simmons memory was reviewing article proposals for the journal Library Trends, specifically for a special issue edited by Dr. Wisser. As someone who hopes to publish in library journals, it was incredibly helpful to see what the review process actually looks like. It was also incredibly energizing to spend time with Simmons SLIS alumnae/i working in LAMs [libraries and museums] and to learn about their areas of focus, expertise, and career journeys.
We spent the day having deep conversations — about library ethics, current trends or dilemmas in the field, and the future of our profession — over sandwiches and an incredible set of proposed articles. I am deeply thankful to have had the experience of sitting on a review committee, and even more grateful to have met so many incredible library professionals.
What advice do you have for current and incoming Simmons students?
Be as involved with the school community as you can. Try to find student organizations that align with your interests, attend online and in-person events when you can, and get to know your professors. In doing so, you’ll find friends and mentors who will support you in your journey, and you will leave with a special appreciation and love for this school. The community I built here truly sustained me during my two years at SLIS.
I would also advise students to find a work-life balance, which I know can be tricky. While it is important to be involved, it is also important to nurture your extracurricular interests and take time to care for yourself.
Professors at Simmons, in my experience, care about you as a whole person rather than simply a student. Ask for help and support when you need it and be brave enough to be vulnerable — you will likely find that your instructors are more than willing to support you, and that your honesty will contribute to a culture of collective care here at Simmons.