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.
“We welcome these three new faculty to SLIS,” says SLIS Dean Sanda Erdelez. “With expertise in the research and practical aspects of the library and information science (LIS) field and a commitment to creating valuable experiential learning opportunities for students both on the Boston campus and nationally, they will greatly enhance the academic experience and contribute to shaping future LIS leaders.”
Mollie Metevier, Assistant Professor of Practice and Manager of Field Experience, holds a teaching certification from St. Catherine University, her MLIS from Simmons University, and her BA in Sociology from Mount Holyoke College; as well as having completed graduate level coursework in Sociology at the University of Cincinnati. Prior to joining Simmons, Metevier had a varied academic and professional career, including two decades of archival work and experience teaching at all levels, including a decade at St. Catherine University in their Master’s in Library Science Program. She is passionate about bringing concepts of diversity, equity and inclusion into the classroom, and incorporating learning theory into the graduate classroom environment.
“Coming back to Simmons is a homecoming for me,” said Assistant Professor Metevier, “I was inspired by the Simmons faculty two decades ago to forge my path in the field, and I look forward to doing the same for my students.”
Don Simmons, SLIS Assistant Professor, holds an EdD from the University of Southern Mississippi and an MLIS from Syracuse University. Before joining Simmons' LIS department, he worked at both public and academic libraries, including the White Plains Public Library and Westchester Community College Library. As a public librarian, Dr. Simmons managed services for children, teens, and adults, running programs and leading outreach and community based workshops. At Westchester Community College, he was the Information Literacy Coordinator and Student Engagement Librarian, working with student groups, overseeing all instructional operations, and launching research in Critical Information Literacy. His research focuses on misinformation, algorithmic bias, and information privilege, with an emphasis on progressive pedagogical practices for one-shot instruction. He will soon expand his research to include the intersection of AI with library and information studies and its impact on information systems.
"It is an honor and privilege to work in the SLIS department and to be part of the distinguished and diverse Simmons University community,” says Dr. Simmons. “This institution has long been a cornerstone for academic and cultural enrichment. As we continue to advance scholarship and launch progressive initiatives in the librarianship and LIS space, there is no better place to contribute and work on these efforts than at Simmons."
Stacie Williams, Assistant Professor of Practice and Manager of Field Experiences, is an archivist and author. She has over ten years of archives experience across academic, public, and community institutions and is currently the Publications Editor for the Society of American Archivists. She holds a bachelor of arts in journalism from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and a master's of science in library and information science with a concurrent certificate in archives and manuscripts management from Simmons. Her research interests have included labor and collections, and community archives.