Alumna, Information and Library Sciences
As UMA celebrates 60 years of expanding opportunity across Maine, we continue sharing the stories of the people who bring that mission to life.
Rachel Dollahan knew exactly what she was looking for in a degree and just as importantly, what she was not willing to compromise. Working full-time and living out of state, she needed a program that could meet her where she was and stay true to her passion for library science. Through UMA’s online Information and Library Science program, she found that fit along with something more lasting: a mentor who believed in her, a community that made distance feel smaller, and a sense of confidence she now passes on to the students she supports every day.
We asked Rachel to share more about his journey to UMA and what inspires him in the classroom.
How are you connected to UMA?
Alumni
What was your program of study, year of graduation, and official degree title?
Information and Library Science, graduated December 2021, Bachelor’s of Information and Library Sciences
Thinking back to when you enrolled, what made UMA the right fit for your life at that time?
I live in Illinois, so I was looking for an online program, because I work full-time and online learning works around my schedule. A lot of universities don’t have an actual ILS Bachelor’s program, because librarians usually get their Bachelor’s in something else; I didn’t want to study anything else! So I was already interested in the program, but what sold me was the tuition. Your tuition prices for out-of-state online students were just too good to be true. No other college was offering such discounted tuition for online students.
How did your UMA experience specifically help you transition into your career or the next phase of your life? (Did a certain internship, professor, or project pave the way?)
Dr. Jodi Kosakowski was instrumental in my current success. While I only had a handful of one-on-one video calls with her, her support and encouragement got me through those days when I thought I couldn’t do it. And I have tapped into those memories of encouragement whenever I’m struggling with imposter syndrome in my career. She very obviously cares about each student, and I will forever sing her praises!
How do you see the impact of your education showing up in your life today—not just at work, but in your community or how you see the world?
So while I have an ILS degree, I currently work for the TRIO Upward Bound program, helping high school students prepare for college. I love to share my UMA experience with my students for several reasons: to show how great online programs can be, to show that the path to higher education is different for everyone (I got my degree in my late 30s), and to, of course, promote the ILS program to my library-curious students! But most importantly, I get to be a Dr. Kosakowski to these teenagers now, and that may be the most rewarding part of my job.
What is something surprising or meaningful you learned at UMA that has stayed with you long after graduation?
That education, and access to education, is for everyone, no matter their gender, race, religion, economic status, etc. Even as an online student, I met people from across the country! Different cultures, different religions, different dialects! And what we all had in common was a passion for learning and libraries. As I stated above, your tuition rates for out-of-state online students were insanely affordable. If I had not found your program, I wouldn’t have been able to afford to go back to school. To me, that shows that UMA actually wants students to have access to education by making it affordable!
What advice would you give to current students (or those considering your field) to help them succeed?
I tell all my high school students about college: TALK TO YOUR PROFESSORS! First off, they WANT to help you! That’s why they are there! Secondly, getting to know your professors will teach you things about the field that you won’t learn in your textbooks. These are experts in the field, and the wealth of knowledge they hold is worth every penny you pay in tuition.
When you look back at your UMA journey from where you are now, what makes you most proud?
Now this is a tough question. I am so proud to be a Moose, and I honestly can’t pick one reason. The support I was shown, the knowledge I gained, and the people I met (faculty and fellow students) have helped me grow both professionally and personally. I can’t say enough great things about UMA (trust me, my students get sick of it, lol)!
Is there anything else about your UMA experience that you would like to share?
Sometimes, being an online student can feel isolating. I was hundreds of miles from campus, and yet I felt so involved. You offered activities for online students, like an online scavenger hunt (I won a t-shirt!), or when you sent out hot cocoa bomb-making kits to everyone. I once got an online student care package with all kinds of goodies! I have never heard of a university caring so much about its online students, and it made me feel like I was part of the student body, not just an afterthought. I can’t express how much I valued that. And I should mention, most of those things were pre-COVID, so it’s not like you all started doing that when everyone had to be online, lol. You already had systems in place for an inclusive online learning experience.
For 60 years, UMA has focused on making education accessible; today, Rachel carries that mission forward by proving that the path to a degree is open to everyone, regardless of where they start.