Staff Bios

Kendra is metadata and information specialist with Internet Scout Research Group at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She holds her MA in library and information studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a MA in arts management from Columbia College Chicago, and a certificate in artifact collection care from the University of Chicago. Prior to joining the Scout team, Kendra taught as adjunct faculty at Columbia, instructing arts management and business writing courses, and served as acting collections manager of Columbia’s fashion study collection. Kendra has a strong interest in the openness movement, particularly as it pertains to cultural objects and datasets that have the potential to help realize positive change in people’s lives.

Originally from Massachusetts, Ray grew up largely in Illinois and attended Macalester College in Minnesota, where she studied Linguistics and Psychology, focusing on language comprehension and communication. She moved to Madison in 2015 and has held a variety of jobs since, from lab manager to bartender to customer care representative. Across the board, Ray has specialized in communication, organization, design, and usability. On the side, Ray is also a dance instructor, and illustrator for I/O Arcade Bar. In her free time, she's a TV and movie buff, and enjoys drawing, watercolor painting, dancing, comics, and trying to figure out just what it is her cat actually wants.

Matthew grew up in Verona, Wisconsin, and a circuitous route has brought him back to the Madison area. After completing a BA in English at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, he spent a year teaching in Thailand and then six years as a teacher and administrator at a bilingual K-12 school in Comayagua, Honduras. He managed to squeeze an MA in Environmental Studies somewhere in there as well. Since 2015, Matthew has been pursuing a PhD in Sociology and International Development Studies at UW–Madison, focusing on conflicts over scientific expertise, conservation, market access in rural development projects in Latin America. Outside of work, Matthew enjoys gardening, cooking, crossword puzzles, hiking, nature and wildlife photography, and preparing exciting adventures as a Dungeons & Dragons DM. 

Originally from Michigan, Jacob came to Wisconsin to pursue graduate studies at UW-Madison's Information School. With a background in various library, archive, and museum settings, Jacob seeks to improve access to and the preservation of the human story. When they are not cataloging records or studying archival theory, Jacob can be found watching old movies, tinkering away with a drum machine, creating jazz guitar arrangements, or hanging out with pals. 

A Wisconsin native, Alyssa is a rising junior double majoring in Communication Arts and Spanish at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. On-campus, Alyssa is also a part of the Alpha Kappa Chapter of Kappa Delta Chi Sorority Inc. On her time off, Alyssa likes to spend her time hiking, running, reading, and trying out new coffee shops around the Madison area.

Born in NYC, Mostafa grew up in Egypt, where he developed passion for technology and programming. He moved to Madison in 2019 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Computer Sciences. On his off time, Mostafa likes to work on side projects with his friends, play video games, and listen to music.