School of Information Sciences

  • SIS Teams Up with 4-H, UTIA, to Improve Digital Literacy in Rural Tennessee

    Excellent scholarship and research is one of the core components of any Research 1 institution, and that has been a driving force behind the work of both faculty and students at the College of Communication and Information. But there is always room to grow, improve, and expand the scope of what is done, which is…

  • SIS Celebrates 50th Anniversary of MSIS Program’s ALA Accreditation 

    Fifty years ago, the School of Information Sciences first went through the rigorous process of accrediting its Master of Science in Information Sciences program through the American Library Association—though at the time the degree was known as a Master of Science in Library Science. As society evolved, so have libraries and the field of information…

  • CCI Welcomes 12 New Faculty Members in Fall 2022

    The College of Communication and Information is welcoming 12 new faculty members to its ranks this fall to support its growing student body. These faculty members bring a wealth of expertise and experience to CCI’s four schools and will help CCI to continue achieving its mission and fulfill the goals in its five-year strategic plan. Here’s…

  • Two SIS Grads Lead the Newly Relocated World Data System

    Two alumni of the School of Information Sciences master’s program have taken the lead at World Data System (WDS) International Program Office (IPO), which relocated headquarters to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville this year after a successful bid to have the international institution move from Japan to East Tennessee. Meredith Goins, who not only graduated…

  • SCRIPS Grant Funding Supports Innovative Research at CCI

    The Research and Innovation Center (RIC) supports College of Communication and Information (CCI) scholarship by offering services to aid researchers throughout the research process, with a particular focus on helping compete for and win grants. This year, the center introduced the Summer CCI Research and Innovation Projects Support (SCRIPS) program. This competitive program provides CCI…

  • PhD Alum Aims to Change Academia’s Approach to Inclusive, Accessible Learning

    “The need for systemic transformation in higher education requires a change in mindset from the traditional approach to teaching and learning, to an inclusive and universally accessible one. How do we get there?” asked Kevin Mallary (’22), who recently earned his PhD from the College of Communication and Information by successfully defending a dissertation that…

  • SIS Director Rorissa Voted President-Elect of ASIS&T

    Just as new School of Information Sciences Professor and Director Abebe Rorissa stepped into his role July 1, 2021, it was announced that he was elected to be president of the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T). Rorissa’s biography and position statement can be viewed here on the ASIS&T site. He has been heavily…

  • Q&A with PhD Graduate Scott Sikes

    After being inspired by his wife simultaneously working and earning her Master’s degree, Scott Sikes looked to Rocky Top for his return to higher education. He earned his Master’s degree in Information Sciences in 2018 and recently completed his PhD with a concentration in Information Sciences in 2021. He successfully defended his dissertation, “In Our…

  • Abebe Rorissa to Lead School of Information Sciences

    Abebe Rorissa will be the new director of the School of Information Sciences on July 1, 2021. He is currently Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Associate Professor in the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity at State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany. “Serving as the Director of the School of…

  • Kelly Named UT Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs; Tenopir Named Interim SIS Director

    Diane Kelly, director of the School of Information Sciences, was named UT Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs effective August 1. Kelly did an outstanding job of serving as professor and director of the School of Information Sciences since 2016. Her accomplishments included leading the school to a 110 percent enrollment increase in the Master of…