Patty Williams always enjoyed sitting and reading out on the third-floor patio of the Communications Building when her husband, John Williams (‘71) would attend College of Communication and Information Board of Visitors meetings. Both of them knew their lives wouldn’t have been the same if it hadn’t been for their time at the college—John as a broadcast journalism major and Patty getting her certification from the School of Information Sciences to be a school librarian. CCI continued to play a … Read more “Endowed Professorship, Terrace Established in Honor of Patty Williams”

Finding a job that fuels multiple passions is rare. But Claire Jordan (’22) successfully did just that when she accepted a position working for the Library of Congress as a research librarian for the Congressional Research Service. After completing the master’s program at the School of Information Sciences, she returned to her old stomping grounds in Washington, DC, where she spends each fast-paced day doing vital research for members of Congress, helping to provide credible, crucial information that supports our country’s legislative process. Before Jordan entered the field of information sciences, however, she worked as a lobbyist on environmental policy.… Read more “Claire Jordan: SIS Alum and Library of Congress Research Librarian”

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 what Goal 2 of  CCI’s Strategic Plan sets out to do. This goal emphasizes the impact and interdisciplinary nature of the type of research that should be done in the college, with an aim to create “a more just, prosperous, and sustainable future.”

One such … Read more “SIS Teams Up with 4-H, UTIA, to Improve Digital Literacy in Rural Tennessee”

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 sciences. Along with it, the ALA accreditation standards has been continuously reevaluated and updated to reflect advances in the field and values of library professionals and academics. The MSIS program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville has kept pace with these advances and changes … Read more “SIS Celebrates 50th Anniversary of MSIS Program’s ALA Accreditation ”

Li brings a passion for social justice issues in advertising to his work, and his research is in the areas of multicultural … Read more “CCI Welcomes 12 New Faculty Members in Fall 2022”

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 with her master’s degree from SIS but is also a doctoral student at the College of Communication and Information, is executive director of WDS. Sarah Gonzalez, a UT employee of 20 years, earned her SIS graduate degree in 2020 and is program manager for WDS. … Read more “Two SIS Grads Lead the Newly Relocated World Data System”

SCRIPS grants promote broad participation from the CCI research community. Tenured, tenure-track, and non-tenure track faculty can submit a proposal and CCI staff can also team up with faculty for project proposals, said Suzie Allard, director of RIC and Chancellor’s Professor in … Read more “SCRIPS Grant Funding Supports Innovative Research at CCI”

“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 asked this very question.

Mallary’s dissertation, “Investigating Higher Education Institutions’ Influence on the Everyday Information Practices of Students with Autism,” recently earned him the inaugural Commission for Disability Graduate Student Award; the award is given to someone who is a “champion for support … Read more “PhD Alum Aims to Change Academia’s Approach to Inclusive, Accessible Learning”

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 involved with the organization for many years and looks forward to working on the initiatives and strategic plan that ASIS&T has outlined for coming years. Rorissa particularly is interested in making justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion a priority in the work the organization does.… Read more “SIS Director Rorissa Voted President-Elect of ASIS&T”

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 Very Blood: The Use of Social Media in the 2018 West Virginia Teachers’ Strike.”

What made you decide to pursue your masters degree and PhD at UT? What made you decide to go back to school?

When I was looking at graduate programs, the … Read more “Q&A with PhD Graduate Scott Sikes”