Tenaya Muhammad becomes first recipient of Milner’s Student Assistant Scholarship

Junior sociology major Tenaya Muhammad is the first recipient of the Milner Library’s Dr. Thomas D. Wilson Student Assistant Scholarship.

The scholarship is a one-time award of $1,000, given to library student employees who have worked at Milner for at least one semester. This scholarship honors Dr. Wilson and his support for Milner Library along with his love of learning.

Muhammad said it was amazing to receive this scholarship and to be supported by the library staff.

“I was very grateful when I received the award. Especially since I was going through a tough time because two of my family members passed away a few days before I had written my application essay,” Muhammad said. “So, it was nice to have some good news.”

Since a young age, Muhammad has loved to read and has enjoyed libraries. She volunteered at her middle school’s library and participated in book club throughout high school.

During Welcome Week of her freshman year, Muhammad was encouraged to apply for a position at Milner after speaking with a Milner representative. Muhammad eventually applied for a position at Milner, her first job ever.

“Milner is the perfect place to work. I work at the front Circulation Desk and it’s not fast paced, so it wasn’t too difficult getting used to daily operations. Working with and interacting with other students makes the environment fun,” Muhammad said.

When she first applied for her position at Milner, Muhammad said that she couldn’t have imagined how important her experience would be, and she believes working at the library is the best job to have on campus.

“I’ve built up my communication skills, time management skills and self-confidence,” Muhammad said. “On top of that, the library is a great environment to be in and is filled with lovely people who make your adjustment to college life ten times better. Milner is really my home away from home.”

Muhammad is recognized for being in the Honors Program and working as a teaching assistant. Additionally, she has been part of a research lab and has studied abroad in Costa Rica. She said she loves to explore and find what makes her happy, and this is what she is known for throughout her time at Illinois State University and at Milner.

She applied this mindset to her position at Milner. Not only does the job make her happy, but it gives her the opportunity to build friendships with her coworkers. It also provides her with many academic opportunities, such as the Dr. Thomas D. Wilson Student Assistant Scholarship, and it has connected Muhammad with many professors.

Her positive mindset in the workplace encourages her coworkers while on the job.

“Every time I work with Tenaya I would see her focused and very engaged in any assignment she was doing, whether it would be helping a student or shelving books. She has motivated me to put that much effort into anything I do,” interior design student Eric Rodriguez-Posadas said.

Rodriguez-Posadas went on to say that Muhammad is both hardworking and finds time to enjoy everyone’s presence, and she is a great candidate to earn this scholarship because of her character.

“She is persistent with everything she is assigned to do and overachieves every time she completes anything,” Rodriguez-Posadas said. “She will be everything you have asked for in a student.”

While undecided about her career, she said that she sees herself taking a position in human or social services after her time at ISU, and she plans to eventually pursue her master’s degree.

Muhammad is also considering being a mentor to adolescents that are interested in activism to empower them to participate in social movements safely and effectively, or she is interested in running or opening a community center.

“I’d like to provide resources and a safe space for women and families of color so they may have access to tools that will help them succeed,” Muhammad said.

All in all, Muhammad is taking advantage of her time at ISU by exploring every opportunity presented to her.