Education

Master of Library and Information Sciences (MLIS)

University of Maryland, College Park, MD

Bachelor of Arts in English Secondary Education

Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

  • English Education Outstanding Senior

  • University Honors Program and College of Liberal Arts Honors diploma

Higher Ed Experience

Learning Technologies Librarian

July 2019 – Present

Albert S. Cook Library, Towson University

Identify, promote, and demonstrate established and emerging technologies that support faculty scholarship, teaching, and student research. Facilitate course-integrated information literacy instruction for first-year undergraduate students completing Towson Seminar (TSEM 102) and College of Education graduate students. Advance cross-departmental initiatives between Office of Technology Services, Library Information Technology, and Research & Instruction.

  • Liaise with College of Education’s Instructional Technology (M.S. and Ed.D.) and Reading Education (M.Ed.), including managing collections for entirely-online graduate programs with seven-week courses

  • Design and facilitate the library’s first credit-bearing course, LIBR 100: The Information Experience

  • Design online and face-to-face learning experiences for audiences of faculty, staff, students, and public using a variety of technology and platforms

  • Provide research assistance via email, direct messaging, SMS text, phone call, and video conferencing at convenience of learners including weekends and evenings

  • Create and maintain LibGuides and other research tools that support curricula and scholarship initiatives

  • Consult with faculty and staff to design and maintain inclusive learning experiences for students and employees through accessible document creation and universal design for learning principles

  • Utilize institutional, departmental, and organizational newsletters plus Blackboard announcements, library website, and social media to promote library programming, services, and resources to campus and public community

  • Stay up-to-date on current web accessibility guidelines through participation in Cook Library’s User Experience committee and leadership on Cook Library’s Accessibility Team

Accomplishments: As LIBR 100 instructor of record, worked with campus support units including Academic Advising and Student Outreach & Support to help students navigate retention, graduation, financial aid, and accommodation issues. As librarian, partnered with Blackboard TU to create Cook Library and SCUA modules for faculty and students featured on the Institution Page. Advance a community of practice for Research & Instruction and Access Services workers to develop digital pedagogy, promote team building, and develop original digital learning objects with H5P. Conduct, analyze, and present on library user experiences, including virtual usability testing and analog, asynchronous, anonymized feedback collection. Cumulatively embedded in 70 Blackboard courses, including Master Shells, optimizing library support beyond class-based instruction.

Research & Teaching Fellow

Jan. 2018 – May 2019

University Libraries, University of Maryland, College Park (UMD-CP)

Facilitated information literacy instruction for first-year students completing the General Education Program’s ENGL101: Academic Writing course. Employed diverse methods in teaching—including individual, small group, and whole class activities—as well as assessment—including graphic organizers, discussion, and reflection. Celebrated student voice with learner-generated examples and student-led database explorations.

  • Programmatically assessed ENGL101 instruction by mapping student feedback from individual sessions to learning objectives informed by ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education

  • Led library-wide journal club discussions, selecting literature on themes of school librarian collaboration and outreach to under-represented populations as well as facilitating active learning including four corners and think, pair, share

  • Instructed new Fellows through the Canvas LMS by selecting readings, initiating online discussions, and conducting creative response assessment informed by Universal Design for Learning principles around themes of first-year instruction, student-centered teaching, and self-care

Accomplishments: Initiated diversification of classroom content, specifically in populations and impacts acknowledged around issue of body image, introducing young adult male and Black female populations as well as positive trends. Promoted instructor sharing of personal research story as practice of radical vulnerability. Pursued social justice with explicit emphasis of student health and wellness by sharing a personal health research story.

Desk Supervisor

Jul. 2016 – Jun. 2019

College of Education Educational Technology Services (UMD-CP)

Staffed team of 12 to 14 student employees with two workers, 104 hours a week, 12 months a year. Served a diverse user base of faculty, staff, and graduate students in-person, over-the-phone, and online to provide technological assistance across teaching, research, and administrative needs. Established meaningful connections with direct reports by practicing the principle of reciprocity and empathetic listening.

  • Managed operations through demerits, positional promotion, salary increases, performance reviews, and culture surveys; motivate employees through original Superhero of the Week and birthday celebration initiatives; mentor employees on personal, academic, and professional development

  • Assigned, prioritized, and reviewed projects, including revision of monthly equipment maintenance procedures, open house presentation, and systems migrations while summarizing progress to upper management

Accomplishments: Maintained and revised internal handbooks for desk employees and supervisors including departmental policy creation and communally-drafted procedures. Initiated and implemented fair, transparent termination and non-renewal policy and procedures. Introduced situational considerations into probationary status procedures, transitioning from philosophy of zero tolerance to restorative practices.

Courses Taught

LIBR 100: The Information Experience

Aug. 2022Dec. 2022

Towson University

This three-credit hour, semester-long, 100% online course focuses on exploring various forms & methods of information seeking, evaluation, & creation. It anchors research in professional & personal interests. Learners develop ideas supported by evidence & engage in iterative peer-to-peer review while emphasizing critical theory & ethical issues in information science.

LIBR 100 Visual Syllabus.pdf
LIBR 100 F2022 Courseleaf SYLLABI redacted contact info.pdf

Achievements

Association of College & Research Libraries 2019 Student Scholarship winner

North American Simulation and Gaming Judee Blohm Scholarship 2018 winner

Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Medical Library Association Student Vision Scholarship winner (go.umd.edu/macreflect)

National Medical Librarians Month Feature in National Network of Libraries of Medicine’s Southeastern / Atlantic Blog “SEA Currents” (go.umd.edu/UNL)