Master’s Degree
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From Classroom to Career: Jonah Freedman Builds a Brand on and off the Track
As graduation approaches, Jonah Freedman reflects on a college experience defined by momentum both in the classroom and on the track. A public relations major in the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations, Freedman spent the past four years not only earning his degree but also building a personal brand as a professional racer,…
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From Memphis to the Smithsonian: Paul Springer Jr. Bridges Public History and Information Sciences
For Paul Springer Jr., the path to a career in libraries and public history has been anything but linear, but every step has reinforced his commitment to preserving and expanding access to knowledge. Springer, who is graduating with his Master of Science in Information Sciences at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is also serving as…
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Thura Mack Celebrates 45 Years of Impact at UT
For Professor Thura Mack (’86), the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is more than a workplace; it is the foundation of a 45-year journey defined by growth, service, and a deep commitment to students. An alumna of the School of Information Sciences, Mack’s path to UT began with a simple recommendation that would shape the course…
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A Student-Led Project with Real Impact: The Future of Human-Robot Interaction
As social robots and AI systems become more integrated into educational, professional, and daily environments, understanding those nuances will only grow more critical. In the School of Information Sciences, robotics research is not just about machines—it is about people. Three School of Information Sciences students have been working with Assistant Professor Jiangen He, examining how…
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SIS Makes Its Debut on a Longstanding CCI Networking Trip
For more than 30 years, students across the College of Communication and Information (CCI) have traveled to New York City to meet industry professionals, visit major organizations, and explore career paths beyond the classroom. This year marked a milestone for the School of Information Sciences (SIS), as its students participated in the college-wide networking trip…
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From Classroom Curiosity to Published Research: SIS Faculty and Alumni Explore How Museums Manage Their Collections in the Age of AI
From left to right: Sidney Gavel, Professor Wade Bishop, and Emily Chapin When Professor Wade Bishop from the School of Information Sciences began studying how museums organize and digitize their physical collections, he did not anticipate that a class assignment would evolve into a multi-year research project. This unexpected journey would involve three SIS master’s…
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Coming Home to Rocky Top: SIS Alumna Jordan Kaufman Returns as Research Data Librarian
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…
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MSIS Alumna Celebrates Full Circle Moment After Becoming Lead Librarian at the College, Where She Held Her First Higher Education Teaching Role
Sara Beth Coffman (‘23), an alumna of the School of Information Sciences, is fulfilling her dream job as the lead librarian for Information Literacy and Instruction at Chattanooga State Community College. Even before joining a library system, Coffman had a passion for teaching. She earned her undergraduate degree in English from Emory & Henry College,…
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SIS Showcases Global Impact at LIDA 2025
The Libraries in the Digital Age (LIDA) conference is an internationally recognized event that celebrated its 25th anniversary this year in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Several faculty members, students, and alumni from the School of Information Sciences (SIS) attended and participated in engaging workshops and presentations at this year’s LIDA conference, which is one of many events…
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SIS Alumna Earns ALA Equality Award for Transforming Hiring Practices at KSU Libraries
When Kristina Clement (’18) took on her current role as assistant director of academic engagement and instruction for collegiate librarians at Kennesaw State University, she quickly began having informal conversations with library employees that inspired her to approach a colleague with an idea. It wasn’t long before Clement and her coworker, Karen Doster-Greenleaf, had a…