Jordan Kaufman (‘18) has returned to Rocky Top after graduating from the School of Information Sciences (SIS) master’s program in 2018. She is now a research data librarian at Hodges Library at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. With a passion for data and community service, Kaufman is eager to bring her volunteer spirit back to the university.
Kaufman first came to Knoxville in 2014 as an administrative assistant in the College of Arts and Sciences within the advising department. She took advantage of UT’s employee education benefits to pursue her dream of becoming a librarian.
“I started taking classes in SIS, and I got hooked. I continued working while taking classes part-time. Then I found the ad for the UX-A Cohort program. I spoke with Dr. Rachel Fleming-May and Dr. Tenopir, and they thought I would be a great candidate, so I applied. Through that program, I was able to attend school full-time,” Kaufman explained.
As part of the “Experience Assessment” (UX-A) cohort, which was funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Kaufman was one of 12 students brought in to UT to earn their MSIS with a specialization in user experience and assessment. During her studies, Kaufman served as a graduate research assistant and a graduate teaching assistant, which provided her with extensive research experience at the library.
“I completed my practicum with the assessment librarian at UT at the time, Regina Mays, and I also worked at the reference desk in addition to being a teaching assistant,” she said.
Kaufman attended various conferences, traveled internationally, and gained significant academic and research experience under the mentorship of Fleming-May and Tenopir, which guided her toward a career in academic librarianship.
“Not to be cliché, but I was an undergraduate English major, so librarianship was always a consideration for me. When I began taking classes, my first class with Dr. Hank was so engaging. She shared amazing experiences and discussed different aspects of information and how the field could extend beyond traditional librarianship. That really opened my perspective. Initially, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my degree, but after working at UT, I realized I wanted to pursue a career in academia,” Kaufman said.
Kaufman worked as a research associate with Tenopir for several years, including a period of remote work after relocating to Ohio. After gaining five years of professional experience, Kaufman had the opportunity to return to UT.
“My former classmate and cohort member, who is now the department head of data and digital scholarship at the libraries, emailed me to say, ‘Hey, I have a position coming open, and I think you’d be a really great fit,’” Kaufman explained.
As a research data librarian and assistant professor at UT, Kaufman collaborates with faculty, students, and staff throughout the research lifecycle, covering data collection, analysis, preservation, and open sharing.
“I really love working through that whole process so they can get to a point where they can share their data openly,” Kaufman said.
From being a UT Vol to Volunteering
In addition to her passion for information literacy, Kaufman is also dedicated to mental health advocacy.
While pursuing her masters in SIS, Kaufman began volunteering with H.A.B.I.T. (Human-Animal Bond in Tennessee), a program that utilizes animal-assisted therapy to promote emotional well-being. Her involvement with H.A.B.I.T. sparked a lasting commitment to mental health advocacy.
“I was introduced to what we now call Big Orange Finish but at the time it was called Dress for Success. The libraries invited dogs in during high-stress times, like finals and midterms. I learned that this program was actually run through the UT’s College of Veterinary Medicine, and I thought, ‘This is really interesting!’ I had a dog that was perfect for this, so we went through the process and started volunteering,” she said.
Kaufman is currently a member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
“I also found out that UT has a student organization for NAMI, so I became their faculty advisor,” Kaufman explained.
Along with her work with NAMI, Kaufman and her dog, Grimm, are officially part of the H.A.B.I.T. program, where they volunteer with the Veterans Success Center, bringing therapy and comfort to students and veterans.
Kaufman has felt at home at UT since the moment she stepped on campus over a decade ago. Throughout her career, she always envisioned returning to give back after her time away.
“I knew it was the right place for me,” she said. “The SIS program was the perfect fit, and I always wanted to find a way to come back. So when the position opened, I thought, ‘I have to at least try.’ Being a Volunteer is a lifelong commitment for me, and I’m just happy to come back home and use what I’ve learned from other places to help everyone on campus succeed while fostering that volunteer spirit.”
Kaufman’s journey exemplifies how SIS alumni combine professional expertise with community engagement. Her story underscores the impact of an SIS education on academic excellence, student support, and community service.