Meet Kristy Lueshen, Student Success Librarian

Kristy Lueshen joined the University of Chicago Library in November 2023. She has a BA in Cultural Studies from Columbia College Chicago, an MA from DePaul University, and an MLIS from the University of Illinois. Kristy previously at Colorado State University where she was the Student Success Resident Librarian. Prior to Colorado State, Kristy worked at DePaul University’s Rinn Law Library and at Columbia College Library.

Rebecca Starkey, Head of Research and Instruction Services, interviewed Kristy about her work and her move to UChicago:

What led you to become a Student Success Librarian?

I love working with and learning from students. From my previous experiences in higher ed and academia, I knew that I wanted to support students with their research and learning and get them excited for everything an academic library has to offer. Most recently, I worked as a Student Success Resident Librarian at Colorado State University where I was able to develop an understanding of "student success” that helped me decide to pursue this area in my librarianship.

What are some ways libraries can support student success?

Student success can mean many things – for me, it includes teaching information literacy and research skills, supporting student wellbeing, and building a sense of belonging on campus and in the library. In addition to providing research support, libraries can offer programming and events while connecting with campus partners to build a comprehensive support system that centers student growth and engagement. Sometimes it can be as simple as asking students what they need and want from their library experiences!

What excites you about being at the University of Chicago?

In addition to my MLIS, I have an MA in History, so I’m excited to be surrounded by so much Chicago history. I have worked at several different universities – an art school, a College of Law, a land-grant state school, and now the University of Chicago – and I have found that they each offer something different to their campus communities. I love the energy in Hyde Park when UChicago is in session and I’m excited to work with so many excellent colleagues who feel the same way about libraries and students as I do.

What are your goals for your first full quarter at the University?

Every day I learn something new about the University, and I would like to continue this institutional education as I meet the current student cohort. I hope to reach out to several university partners to begin developing cross-campus relationships with folks who also support students in their research and learning. I’d also like to begin planning and offering more student-centered programing and events, starting with some tabling in the Regenstein Lobby for Valentine’s Day!

What are some of your interests outside of libraries?

Ever since the pandemic started, I feel like I have a thousand hobbies – some that I continue to work at (baking; learning French) and others that ended up on the back burner (playing piano; watercolors). I love to read and write, especially poetry and essays, and I have a TBR “pile” that encompasses several bookshelves in my apartment. I recently moved back to Chicago after a 2-year stay in Colorado, and I’m thrilled to be able to bike along the lake to the Butterfly Haven at the Nature Museum (even in the winter). My time in Colorado also introduced me to the noble art of birding (spark bird: northern flicker) and plant identification, so I spend a lot of time looking at trees.