Sophia Brewer
Sophia Brewer started her journey at GRCC in 2008 as an Adjunct Librarian. In 2014, she was promoted to a full-time position. Currently, she works as the Serials & Collection Development Librarian. This means she is responsible for the overall collection of printed books, ebooks, magazines, journals, streaming videos, etc. in the library’s collection. Her duties also include everything from collection management to reference, to teaching library research and academic advising. Sophia strongly feels, “the library is a great place to work, not only do we work directly with students on a daily basis, we also work with faculty, staff and administrators to ensure that students have access to the resources they need to be successful.”
In fact, one of the things that Sophia values most is the relationships that she is able to build with her liaison areas. Each librarian at GRCC is assigned departments and/or areas of study in which they have to build collections and engage the faculty, staff, and students. In her time at GRCC, she has been able to work with Business, Academic Foundation Programs, Diversity Learning Center, ESL, Gender and Women Studies, Reading, Fashion and Interior Design. By engaging the faculty, staff and students in her liaison areas, she has been able to really customize instruction and resources for the students in those specific areas of study.
Sophia has also been responsible for many innovative projects within the library including de- selection projects, space assessments, software/vendor selection and research. In addition to her work in the library she has also participated on several committees and College Action Projects (CAP). She is currently on the Diversity Team, the Campus Climate CAP and the Lowest Reading Level CAP. Sophia has also volunteered and ushered at many campus events such as MLK Day, Giants Awards, The Diversity Lecture Series, Salute to Women, Latino Youth Conference and much more.
Through the work that Sophia has done with the Diversity Team and on the Campus Climate CAP, her passion for learning and serving has been reinforced. She is truly grateful to work for an institution that values diversity and inclusion. Sophia greatly appreciates being able to work in an open, public institution. Affordable access to knowledge, education and job training really adds purpose and meaning to the work that she does here at GRCC.
In addition to all of the marvelous work that Sophia Brewer does here at GRCC, during the November 2015 election, she won a seat on the Grand Rapids Board of Library Commissioners. This position allows her the opportunity to advocate for free and open access to knowledge and services for all Grand R
apids citizens. This is a great complement to the work that she is already doing within the college.
Sophia strongly values the relationships that she has built with her colleagues. She says, “In every facet of my work here at GRCC, I have to give credit to all of my colleagues especially the librarians, Lori Debie, Mike Klawitter, Nan Schichtel and Steven Putt. We all take our work seriously and support each other.” We, at GRCC, are so thankful to have such a passionate advocate that works hard to promote positive progress toward our goal of educating and preparing students for success.
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