Current Job/Occupation

Adjunct Professor, Florida State University

Visiting Assistant Professor, teaching Information Ethics and Information Literacy for the 2019-2020 academic year.

 

Educational/Professional Background

Bachelor of Arts in Women's Studies with honors, minor in Religion

Bachelor of Arts in Religion, minor in Women's Studies

Bachelor of Arts in English [Creative Writing], minor in Latin

Master of Science in Library and Information Studies, concentration in Youth Services

all from Florida State

Research Interests

Information seeking behaviors of LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning) youth, LGBTQ young adult and children’s literature, intellectual freedom, banned and challenged books, comics and graphic novels, social justice librarianship, radical librarianship, young adult and children’s literature and librarianship, rural and small public libraries in the U.S. South, librarianship in the U.S. South, information behaviors of low income patrons (especially in rural library settings), information needs of diverse populations

Teaching Interests

Diversity in Children's and Young Adult Literature, Social Justice Librarianship, Information Needs of Diverse Users, Graphic Novels

Dawn finished her undergraduate education at Florida State University at age 31, with bachelor’s degrees in Women’s Studies (with honors), Religion, and Creative Writing. She went on to earn a Master’s in Library and Information Studies (LIS) with a certificate in Youth Services. This portion of her education coupled with the belief that her hometown public library (B.B. Comer Memorial Library) was largely responsible for her survival as an LGBTQ teen lead to her current pursuit of a doctorate in LIS focusing on LGBTQ young adults and relevant literature and resources in rural and small public libraries in the U.S. South.

The most important event, to me, is becoming a Point Foundation Scholar, but I have also been able to present my work in multiple arenas, joined the Fellows' Society, been to conferences, and made it to the finals of 3 Minute Thesis.  It's been a whirlwind, but certainly an amazing one.

 

Unique Awards/Achievements

The achievement I'm most proud of is becoming a Point Foundation Scholar.  The organization supports students at all levels of higher education that identify as part of the LGBTQ community.  It is a tough application process--one I went through three times before being accepted. They have opened multiple doors to me through conferences, community service requirements, and simply meeting and befriending so many queer scholars across disciplines and across the country. 

 

Experience as A Member of The Fellows Society

Similar to Point, the Fellows Society has allowed me to meet people in disciplines and departments I may never have known and connect with them through our research and passion for education.

 

Future Plans/Aspirations

The dream job would be to work for the Pride School in Atlanta or a similar organization. Barring that, I would love to work for a nonprofit that directly impacts the LGBTQ community, hopefully in the Southeast.

As a first generation graduate student, I have always been mystified by the fact that I'm even here and all of the opportunities I've had. Regardless of the career I pursue after graduation, my ultimate goal is to be the person younger me needed.