School of Library and Information Science Faculty and Staff
In the Simmons School of Library and Information Science you'll have direct and frequent access to faculty who know your name, understand your aspirations and dedicate themselves to advancing the information field.
Our Faculty and Staff
Meet the Dean
Sanda Erdelez
Dean, School of Library and Information Science
Full-time Faculty
Naresh Agarwal
Professor and Director of Information Science & Tech Concentration
Rhiannon Bettivia
Assistant Professor
Peter Botticelli
Associate Professor and Director, Cultural Heritage Informatics Concentration
Donia Conn
Associate Professor of Practice
Heather Hole
Professor, disciplines of Museum Studies and Art History
Lisa Hussey
Professor and Director of Self-directed Concentration
Daniel Joudrey
Professor and Director of Libraries and Librarianship Concentration
Melanie Kimball
Associate Professor and Director, School Library Teacher Concentration
Zona Kostic
Assistant Professor
Adam Kriesberg
Assistant Professor and Co-Director of Dual Degree MS LIS-Archives and MA History Program
Arianna Lechan
Assistant Professor of Practice and Manager of School Library Teacher Field Experiences
Mollie Metevier
Assistant Professor of Practice and Manager of Field Experience
Kyong Eun Oh
Associate Professor and Director PhD Program
Amy Pattee
Professor
Eric Poulin
Assistant Professor of Practice and Coordinator, SLIS West
Laura Saunders
Professor and Associate Dean of SLIS
Don Simmons
Assistant Professor
Rebecca Stallworth
Assistant Professor
Katherine Wisser
Associate Professor and Masters Program Director, Director Archives Concentration, and Director of Archives Certificate Program
Mei Zhang
Assistant Professor
Staff
Kelsey Chaplain
Administrative Assistant to the SLIS Dean and Faculty Support
Lindsey Clarke
Senior Assistant Director of Graduate Admission Operations
Kendra Giannini
SLIS Student Services Center Manager
Emma Hayden
SLIS Graduate Student Advisor
Khari Linton
Assistant Director of Operations in SLIS
Martin Mehrling
Technology Manager, SLIS
Joel Velez
Slate Administrator/Enrollment Systems Manager
SLIS Faculty in the News
SLIS Lecturer Researches Women Who Collected Medieval Art
In a talk she delivered at the 2024 Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair, School of Library and Information Science faculty member Dr. Lisa Fagin Davis discussed the history of women creating, reading, and owning medieval European manuscripts. To honor Women’s History Month 2025, we spoke with her about this research and its connection to her Simmons courses.
SLIS Professor Explains the Technological Shift to AI
Simmons School of Library and Information Science is leading efforts to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy into the curriculum. Assistant Professor Don Simmons offered a virtual webinar covering the basics of AI and how it is shaping how we work and learn.
Two Simmons Faculty Members Receive North Star Fellowships
Samuel Odom from the School of Social Work and Don Simmons from the School of Library and Information Science, have been named fellows by the North Star Collective Faculty Fellowship, which is designed to promote supportive community and racial healing for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) faculty members across New England.
Dean of SLIS Discusses Public Libraries in The Boston Globe
The Boston Globe featured commentary from Sanda Erdelez, Dean of Simmons‘ School of Library and Information Science, on the remarkable resilience of public libraries, particularly those in New England.
Simmons University’s School of Library and Information Science Welcomes Three New Faculty Members
Simmons University’s School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) welcomes three new faculty members this Fall, with expertise in archives management, school librarianship, and public librarianship for children and teens.
SLIS Adjunct Interviewed in The Atlantic as a “prominent medievalist”
School of Library and Information Science Adjunct Lisa Fagin Davis was interviewed in The Atlantic for her work interpreting the 500-year-old Voynich Manuscript.
SLIS Professor Wins LIS Education Award
Professor and Associate Dean of SLIS Laura Saunders has been selected the 2024 Winner of the Award for Professional Contribution to Library and Information Science Education granted annually by the Association for Library and Information Science Education (ALISE).
SLIS Professor Shares How Public Libraries Support Community Discussion
Professor Laura Saunders was quoted in the Singapore edition of The Straits Times, sharing how public libraries in the U.S. are assisting in building community during politically polarizing times.