School of Library and Information Studies’ Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) graduate, Stephany C. Jones, is CEO of WBS Multimedia.  Her story is inspiring for women who want to get into IT and helps to demonstrate the value of SLIS graduate IT education. Her company is cutting edge, spearheading multimedia marketing campaigns which encompass: mobile friendly websites, search engine optimization (SEO), social media management (Facebook, Google+, Youtube, Twitter, etc.), corporate graphic art, web videos/commercials, text message campaigns, online newsletters, content writing, and much, much more.  Online marketing is their specialty.

Uniquely, they are a bilingual branding boutique as all their services are offered in both English and Spanish, a necessity in Central and South Florida.  By the end of the year they will have expanded their web branding services to Latin America as WBS Latino will be opening an office in South America.

Ms. Jones stated that “The SLIS MSIT degree offered me a lot of practical knowledge to include useful resources that I have been able to implement into my business which have saved us both time and money.  The professors in the program were always available, accessible, and knowledgeable.  I would encourage others to consider training in IT as it is one of the few careers that make the world smaller and surpasses the barriers of distance, culture, and race preparing you for a globalized future.”

The SLIS Master’s in Information Technology degree enables students to gain a solid foundation in areas such as information architecture, information quality assurance, usability, IT governance, information systems management, IT project management, user experience design, IT documentation/technical writing and communication, information archives, distributed information systems, data management, and mobile information systems.  The degree provides expertise in information technology, individual and organized behavior, and information management targeted to the IT skills needed within the information rich and the information provision environments.

Florida State’s No. 1 ranked School Library Media Program at the School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS) is among 56 such programs accredited by the American Library Association around the country. Its master’s degree program is completely online, with students closely monitored and supported through technology, including employing Skype to observe interns in the field.

Graduate of the program Jodi Hooks was a Project Lead recipient and a master’s student at Florida State University studying Library and Information Studies. She was a educator for 16 years in Tarpon Springs, Florida as an ESE Teacher certified in K-12.  Jodi notes, “My favorite way to expose students to literature is through Teacher Read Alouds. I thoroughly enjoy reading aloud, changing my pitch & tone in character voices and watching the children’s faces as the story unfolds.”  The use of books and stories in the classroom was based on student needs–core subject curriculum, holidays, emotional, just for fun, etc. and varied depending on the time of the year.

While at FSU, Jodi was accepted into the honor society Phi Kappa Phi and also attended 2 graduate classes at the London Study Centre during the summer of 2008 – something she remembers as a truly eye-opening and spectacular time. Says Jodi of her time at SLIS, “I am thankful for FSU for creating a climate of connectivity and support.  During the program, I was teaching full-time and a single mom.  I never felt alone and still rely on my cohorts from my time at FSU.  It was validating to go through the program with my peers while having a high level of support from the caring professors.”

After receiving her graduate degree from FSU, Jodi accepted a position as a Library Media Specialist at Dunedin HIghland Middle School in Dunedin, Florida.  During this first year running her own library, she led a group of students to win Pinellas County district’s Battle of The Books competition.  In August 2011, Jodi accepted a position as a Library Media Specialist with DoDEA at Misawa Air Force Base in Misawa, Japan, and has never looked back.  Reflecting on her latest adventure in Japan, Jodi says, “As an educator, we all need to feel like we are making a difference in the lives of children and others in our community.  The strong sense of community at Misawa AFB is unlike anything I have ever experienced.  I am humbled by the sacrifices of military families that I observe on a daily basis.”

Florida State University’s School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS) was ranked 13th in the nation, 5th in Youth Services and 11th in Digital Libraries in U.S. News & World Report’s 2014 edition of “Best Graduate Schools” published in March, 2013. Read more about SLIS’s top-ranked programs at FSU News.

Several recent School of Library and Information Studies graduates were nominated by SLIS faculty to join Beta Phi Mu, the international LIS honor society. They include:

•  Jenna Cowen
• Jennifer Diaz
• Leonel Escamilla
• Allison George
• Marcus Gilfert
• Kristen Gurciullo
• Marjorie Hoomes
• Natacha JeanBaptiste
• Mairelys Lemus-Rojas
• Jeremy Lucas
• Lindsey McDole
• Hyacinth Power
• Rachel Ramsey
• Claudia Robinson
• Lauren Turner
• Theresa Wondracek

Since 1948, Beta Phi Mu has been the international library and information studies honor society. FSU’s Gamma Chapter is the second oldest continually existent chapter.  Shortly after graduation each semester, the SLIS faculty votes on which academic leaders with at least a 3.75 GPA are invited to join Beta Phi Mu and Gamma Chapter. This recognition of students for their academic achievement, leadership and service becomes a part of their resume and your career. Congratulations!

To learn more about the Beta Phi Mu organization, visit www.beta-phi-mu.org or search for “Beta Phi Mu” and “Beta Phi Mu – Gamma Chapter” on Facebook.  You can also contact Charles McElroy, Secretary, Beta Phi Mu Gamma Chapter at bpm-gamma@fsu.edu or cnmcelroy@fsu.edu

SLIS alumna Ginger Williams (MSLIS, ‘09), a reference librarian at Valdosta State University, received a promotion to assistant professor. In recognition of her accomplishments as an instructor during the past three years, she was also awarded credit toward tenure.

Williams’ specialization at the university’s Odum Library is also changing—from coordinating the embedded librarian program to assessing library systems and services.

In April, Williams will be presenting at the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACLR) 2013 conference with fellow SLIS alumni Michelle Demeter and Karen Doster. Williams has published articles in Georgia Library Quarterly (2011) and Palmetto Practitioner (2013).

While at FSU in 2009, Williams won a full scholarship to attend the ACLR’s Rare Books and Manuscripts Section Preconference in Virginia. She was president of the ALA Student Chapter that year and received a graduate research assistantship in Special Collections at Strozier Library. Williams spent her final six months of MLIS study as an intern at the FSU London Study Centre library.

Patrick Mitchell

Florida State University (FSU)’s Information Technology (IT) alum, Patrick Mitchell, was recognized as the 2013 School-Related Employee of the Year by the Columbia County [Florida] School District.  Mitchell has worked for over three years as a network specialist at their Administrative Complex.  At an honorary Employee of the Year luncheon, he received a cash recognition and a key to the city from Mayor Stephen Witt to thank him for his important contributions maintaining the school system’s computer networks.

While attending FSU, Mitchell specialized in studying networks, completed the IT program in two years, and graduated in May of 2009.

Published by The Lake City Reporter on January 25, 2013.
Read the full story at:
lakecityreporter.com/articles/2013/01/25/news/doc51020facbb817075148422.txt