How SC&I's Online Master of Information Program Helped Helen Y. Chu MI'25 Find Her Path in Data Science
Through SC&I's online Master of Information program, Helen Y. Chu MI'25 explored several academic pathways before finding her direction in the Data Science concentration, where she learned to turn data into meaningful information and insights that support teaching and learning. As the Assistant Vice Provost, Learning Spaces and Support at Stanford University, Chu leads Stanford Classrooms Reimagined, the university's strategic plan for classrooms and learning spaces. Together with her team, she manages university classrooms and informal learning spaces in residence halls and across campus, while also providing student technology support.
What led you to choose SC&I for your graduate studies?
I chose Rutgers SC&I for its top-notch iSchool program and faculty, strengths in technology, and flexibility and affordability. Having worked in academic libraries for half of my career, and higher education IT for the other half, I was aware of several ALA-accredited highly regarded graduate programs with strengths in library and information studies and technology. As a working professional with a young family, I needed a fully asynchronous online program. I also transitioned to my current position at Stanford University when I was an MI student. Because the program was fully online, I was able to complete the degree. Rutgers SC&I was the clear and best choice.
What led you to select the Data Science concentration?
The lessons, assignments, projects, and outcomes in Assistant Teaching Professor Suchinthi Fernando's data science classes taught me how to turn data into information, and information into insights. We studied data structures and programs, and I discovered how much I enjoyed working with data, data sets, tools, and methodologies, and I also saw their immediate applicability to my career. Thanks to my Data Science concentration, the strategic decisions I make on a regular basis are data-informed and respected by colleagues.
How has earning your Master of Information supported your work at Stanford University?
Earning my Master of Information strengthened my ability to use information, technology, and data to support teaching and learning. Through the Data Science concentration in particular, I developed skills in analyzing information, identifying meaningful trends, and using evidence to guide decisions. I regularly apply those skills in my work at Stanford, where they help inform strategic planning for classrooms, learning spaces, and student technology services across the university.
Do any SC&I classes or professors still shape the way you make decisions on the job?
Assistant Teaching Professor Fernando's clear, organized, and accessible teaching built my data skills and confidence. The course Ethical Decision Making, taught by Professor Emerita of Library and Information Science Claire McInerney, also continues to shape how I make human-focused, data-informed decisions in my daily work in higher ed leadership.
I so appreciated the constant guidance and mentorship I received from Director of the Master of Information Program and Teaching Professor of Library and Information Science Lilia Pavlovsky throughout my entire time at Rutgers. She offered continuity across the years and helped me feel connected, which is impressive in a fully asynchronous online program. I was lucky enough to take my first course with the late, great Associate Professor of Library and Information Science Ross Todd, who introduced me to research and the library profession in a way I had not had despite the decades I had already spent working in academic libraries. The Motivation and Mindfulness in Information Context course taught by Chair and Associate Professor of Library and Information Science Rebecca Reynolds was particularly timely as the world emerged from our collective pandemic lockdown. I appreciated the thoughtfulness, agility, and timeliness of this course and still apply what I learned daily—at home and in the workplace.
What advice can you offer prospective or current Master of Information students?
Explore! I originally started with an individualized pathway and benefited from Lilia Pavlovsky's kind and sage guidance. She helped me stay on course while I explored interests and new concentrations. Throughout my program, I took advantage of special topics courses whenever I could. At various moments, I thought I might have pursued concentrations in cybersecurity, academic librarianship, or technology and information management. But then I took a data science class, and another, and another, until I had enough courses to graduate with a Data Science concentration.
Photo: Courtesy of Helen Y. Chu
