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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.

Jennifer Steele Headshot.jpg

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

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