Sharon Israel received an SB in electrical engineering from MIT in 1986, as well as an MBA and JD from Emory University in 1991. She is currently the president of the Class of 1986 and class stewardship agent. Israel serves on the Alumni Association Awards Committee, on the Corporation Visiting Committee for the MIT Libraries, and on the board of directors for the MIT Club of South Texas. She was honored with the Henry B. Kane ’24 Award in 2006, Great Dome awards in 2012, 2020, and 2022, the Harold E. Lobdell ’17 Distinguished Service Award in 2019, and the Bronze Beaver Award in 2023.

You serve on the Libraries’ Visiting Committee, a group that provides advice and insight on library priorities and other critical issues. What excites you about the Libraries’ vision for the future?
I’ve had the privilege of serving on the Libraries’ Visiting Committee for the last several years. MIT is a leader in the field, punching well above its weight in this critical area. Every time I meet with Chris Bourg, her talented library team, and the MIT community who relies on MIT Libraries, I’m inspired and honored to learn about the Libraries’ cutting-edge initiatives and to play a small role in this area.

You have also supported the Women@MIT archival initiative in Distinctive Collections. Why is it important to you to illuminate and elevate the stories of women at the Institute?
The history of women at MIT is rich and unique. As a proud MIT alumna, I want to preserve and inspire others about the incredible stories and history of women at MIT.

What do you wish more people at MIT knew about the Libraries?
MIT Libraries provide it all — from Distinctive Collections, to CREOS (the Center for Research on Equitable and Open Scholarship), to providing collaborative spaces for the MIT community. MIT Libraries exemplify the library of the future, and everyone should take the opportunity to see what they have to offer.