Melissa Carrasco
Melissa Carrasco was born and raised in Passaic, New Jersey and is of Puerto Rican descent. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Justice Studies with a minor in Criminal Justice and Paralegal Certification from Montclair State University. She is currently the Circulation Supervisor at the Clifton Public Library in Clifton, New Jersey where she has served her community for over fifteen years. As an SJ4A Scholar, her goal is to obtain an MLIS degree and be in a position to help her community through advocacy and outreach programming. Melissa currently lives in New Jersey with her husband and daughter.
MY SJ4A ROAD MAP [STRATEGIC EDUCATION PLAN]
FALL 2024
CIS 675: Community-Engaged Scholarship
I have created this Community-Engaged ePortfolio (CP-eP) as part of my work for the CIS 675 course ( Community Engaged Scholarship) during fall 2024. In my CP-eP I analyze existing communication and information responses to the strategic action plan in the Clifton Memorial Library located in Clifton, New Jersey. I also identify existing and potential collaborators and partners in local, regional, national, and international communities (in the physical setting and online) to facilitate actual and/ or planned activities of mutual interest to operationalize and implement. In the process I propose (and/or actualize) a range of responsive strategies to further community needs, expectations, and representation in the specific setting and workforce environment. As part of my analysis, I critically evaluate the Clifton Memorial Library’s Strategic Action Plan and develop my own strategic diversity action plan for the communication or information organization to identify future directions or progressive growth and professional practice in consolidating future collaborations and partnerships.
Analyzing Existing Communication and Information Responses to the Strategic Action Plan in the Clifton Memorial Library located in Clifton, New Jersey – https://mcarrasco1-cis675-fall24.myportfolio.com
SPRING 2024
LS 580: Outreach to Diverse Populations
This project was conducted as part of the LS 580 (Outreach to Diverse Populations) class during the Spring of 2024. This project involved collaborating with the Clifton Memorial Library located in Clifton, New Jersey with a focus on outreach services to the Hispanic population.
Hispanic Population in Clifton, New Jersey and How the Clifton Main Memorial Library as an Institution Serves Them – mcarrasco1-ls580-spring2024.myportfolio.com/welcome-multicultural-profile
FALL 2023
CIS 668: Social Justice and Inclusion Advocacy
I have created this Social Justice ePortfolio (SJ-eP) as part of my work for CIS 668 (Social Justice and Inclusion Advocacy) course during fall 2023. In my SJ-ep I propose social justice actions based on analysis of existing communication and information responses to the Immigrant population in the Clifton Public Library located in Clifton, NJ.
I also propose and implement very select responsive strategies and actions plan (as relevant) to further community needs, expectations, and representation in the specific setting and workforce environment of the communication agency or information organization to identify future directions of progressive growth and professional practice. The SJ-eP provides a glimpse of social justice actions proposed and/ or taken through application of select systematic methods. It documents this process upon reflection of the limited experience to gather insights that can get operationalized in greater depth during future initiatives.
Empowering New Americans: Enhancing Immigrant Resources at Clifton Public Library – mcarrasco1-cis668-fall23.myportfolio.com/welcome
SUMMER 2023
CIS 650: Applying Diversity Leadership Theories and Praxis
I have created this Diversity & Inclusion ePortfolio as part of my work for the CIS 650 (Applying Diversity Leadership Theories & Praxis) course during Summer 2023.
In my Diversity & Inclusion ePortfolio I analyze diversity and inclusion responses to English as a second language (ESL) speakers in the Clifton Public Library located in Clifton, New Jersey. I also propose a range of responsive strategies to further cultural competence and effective leadership in the diverse workforce environment. As part of my analysis, I critically evaluate a variety of existing information responses ESL speakers to ensure equality/equity of representation, access, and information use of diverse stakeholders in my community-centered organizational setting. The focus is on an evaluation of website-based and /or onsite information offerings. I also develop a strategic diversity action plan for the information organization to identify future directions of progressive growth and professional practice.
Nurturing Diversity: Assessing The Clifton Public Library’s Outreach to ESL Learners in a Culturally Rich Community – mcarrasco1-cis650div-sum23.myportfolio.com