School of Library and Information Science,
The University of Southern Mississippi
Jennifer E. Steele, Ph.D.
About
Bio
Dr. Jennifer Steele is an Assistant Professor in the School of Library and Information Science at The University of Southern Mississippi, joining the faculty in 2019. She earned both her MLIS degree and her Ph.D. in Communication and Information Sciences from The University of Alabama, completing the degrees in 2013 and 2017 respectively. She brings with her years of professional experience working as an academic librarian. Her research focuses on intellectual freedom, censorship, and information access.

Education
Ph.D., Communication and Information Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa,
AL, 2017, Specialization: Information Studies, Cognate: Digital and Social Media,
Dissertation: Censorship in Public Libraries: An Analysis Using Gatekeeping Theory
MLIS, Library and Information Studies, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, 2013
B.S., Communication Science and Disorders, The University of Montevallo, Montevallo,
AL, 2011, Minor: Psychology, Summa Cum Laude
Employment
Assistant Professor of Library and Information Science August 2019 – Present
School of Library and Information Science
The University of Southern Mississippi
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Adjunct Instructor – Library Science August 2018 – Present
School of Information
Kent State University
Electronic Resources/Reference and Instruction Librarian June 2016 – May 2019
Leland Speed Library
Mississippi College
Adjunct Instructor – Communication January 2018 – May 2018
Department of Communication
Mississippi College
Graduate Research Assistant August 2014 – May 2017 College of Communication and Information Sciences
The University of Alabama
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Graduate Student Assistant at Information Desk January 2015 – May 2016
Gorgas Library
The University of Alabama
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Student Assistant in Circulation Department August 2014 – January 2015
Rodgers Library for Science and Engineering
The University of Alabama
Gorgas Information Services Instruction Intern May 2013 – July 2013
Gorgas Library
The University of Alabama
Student Assistant in Circulation Department October 2007 – May 2011
Carmichael Library
The University of Montevallo
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Public Relations Intern June 2008 – August 2008;
Alabama Power Company December 2008 – January 2009
Honors
Beta Phi Mu International Honor Society for Library and Information Studies; 2019