Julia Skinner successfully defended her thesis, Ernestine Rose and the Harlem Public Library: Theory Testing Using Historical Sources on May 29th and accepted a position with Kennesaw State University as a Rare Book Curator shortly after.

Skinner received her Ph.D. in Information Sciences from the School of Information. Skinner completed her undergraduate and graduate education at the University of Iowa and joined the doctoral program at Florida State in 2011.

Ernestine Rose, subject of Skinner’s research, was at the Harlem Public Library from 1920-1942 and helped shape the library into a innovative community space that played an integral part of the Harlem Renaissance.

“I wanted to get my Ph.D. so I could become a stronger researcher and teacher,” said Skinner. “And to continue exploring the work I love with the guidance of very skilled researchers from a variety of backgrounds.”

As the newest member of Kennesaw State’s department of Museums, Archives and Rare Books, Skinner is really excited. Through her Ph.D. journey, Melissa Gross was her advisor.

“Julia has a naturally inquisitive mind and understands how much fun learning can be.  Her enthusiasm for primary documents is contagious and I expect that she will make many contributions to student learning and to research in her new position,” said Dr. Gross.

“This actually fits beautifully with what I hoped to do post-grad,” she shared. “I get to incorporate aspects of all my professional experiences into the job, while continuing to learn new things. I’m excited!”