The Emporia Gazette

May 27, 2012

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A new face has been added to the Emporia State University School of Library and Information Management staff. A fifth-generation Kansan, Gwen Alexander, was recently selected as the new dean of SLIM.

Alexander comes to ESU from Wichita State University, where she served as associate dean of university libraries. She earned both a doctorate and a master of arts in information resources and library science from the University of Arizona, where she minored in higher education. She received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Regis University in Denver.

Last summer, Alexander had the opportunity to teach a SLIM course and was so impressed with the enthusiasm, intelligence and skills her SLIM students brought to the course, it had a lasting effect.

“Being involved with the SLIM students last summer influenced my decision to make this change,” she said. “It’s exciting to me to move from being a library administrator and practitioner to being involved in the education of new librarians and other information professionals. I am pleased to have this opportunity to make a contribution to the education of those who are entering our profession.”

Alexander has several scholarly publications and presentations to her credit. Her research interests include organizational development, continuous organizational improvement, information retrieval, and management of information agencies.

Before entering the library profession, she worked for United Airlines, owned and operated several small businesses, was a daily newspaper writer/editor and developed and managed grant-funded programs for a non-profit organization.

In her spare time, she enjoys playing golf, traveling with friends and family and participating in Rotary Club service activities. She currently serves as chair of the Rotary Club of Wichita Ambassadorial Scholarship Committee and is a dedicated reader of children’s books for elementary school classes.