Mary Anne Nichols, M.L.S. ’93, associate lecturer and graduate coordinator in the School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) at Kent State University, is the 2012 winner of the Outstanding Teaching Award from the College of Communication and Information (CCI).
Nichols, from Fairlawn, Ohio, graduated with her Bachelor of Science in marketing from the University of Akron in 1991 and her Master of Library Science from Kent State University in 1993. This is her seventh year teaching and advising students full time, particularly in the area of young adult librarianship. Previously, she taught as an adjunct instructor for SLIS and worked as a librarian. She was promoted to associate lecturer earlier this year.
[Mary Anne Nichols] In addition to teaching, Nichols is co-editor of the series “Libraries Unlimited Professional Guides for Young Adult Librarians.” She is involved in numerous regional and national professional organizations, including Ohio Educational Library Media Association (OELMA); YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) Popular Paperbacks Selection Committee Member (2012-2013); YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award Selection Committee Member (2011-2012); and YALSA Margaret A. Edwards Committee Member (2008-2010).
Nichols also serves on the advisory board for the Virginia Hamilton Conference on Multicultural Literature for Children and advises the school’s chapter of Beta Phi Mu, the Library and Information Science Honor Society. She was a founding member of the SLIS Alumni and Friends Council.
At its annual retreat in August, the college honors faculty or staff members, based on nominations received from students and colleagues. The awards include Distinguished Scholar Award, Distinguished Teaching Award, Distinguished Service Award, Distinguished Advisor Award and Outstanding Teaching Award. The awards are sponsored by the members of the College Advisory Council.
According to the college’s website, “The CCI … Outstanding Teacher should possess comprehensive knowledge of their field(s), organize and present subject matter effectively, stimulate thinking, arouse interest and demonstrate resourcefulness in teaching.” This is the second year for the awards, and the second time a SLIS faculty member has received the Outstanding Teaching Award. (In 2011 the winner was SLIS adjunct instructor Miriam Kahn, Ph.D.)
“This came as a huge surprise to me,” said Nichols. “I am honored to be awarded this and grateful to work with such incredible colleagues in SLIS and in CCI.”
The School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) at Kent State University has the only American Library Association-accredited Master of Library and Information Science degree program in Ohio, offering courses in Kent, Columbus (State Library of Ohio) and through a fully online option. SLIS also offers a Master of Science in Information Architecture and Knowledge Management and participates in an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in the College of Communication and Information. The school is recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of the nation’s top 20 LIS graduate programs, with a youth librarianship program that is ranked 13th. It is one of the largest library schools in the country, with more than 650 students enrolled. For more information, visit www.kent.edu/slis.