The San José State University School of Information announces the addition of a new full-time, non-tenure-track lecturer to its diverse and award-winning faculty.

Alison Johnson will focus on teaching INFO 202 Information Retrieval System Design, and will contribute her professional applied experience to the iSchool’s Master of Library and Information Science degree program. Her expertise in online pedagogy, information-seeking behaviors, research databases, and library systems will bring great value to the curriculum.

“I am excited to help students discover how a better understanding of information retrieval systems will make them better researchers, educators, librarians, and designers,” Johnson said. “I look forward to sharing my experiences in assisting users as they seek information and making connections between some of the abstract and theoretic concepts and their real-world applications.”

Johnson, who received a Master of Library Science from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Indiana Wesleyan University, started developing an affinity for academic librarianship early on as a college freshman, when she rediscovered a life-long love of learning. “Everywhere I turned there was an opportunity to observe new fields of study and watch people who were passionately pursuing learning in their specific areas of interest,” she reflected.

Johnson sees librarians as “facilitators of learning,” and the future of librarianship through a lens of strong leadership: “I strive to be a leader who empowers my team members to utilize their strengths, who constantly assesses programs and services for success, and who draws others into the mission of the library.”

In her current position as assistant library director at Indiana Wesleyan University, Johnson is continuously “implementing changes to policies and procedures in order to improve the user experience and increase student engagement.” She also has extensive experience in online education as an adjunct faculty member in library and information science at both Syracuse University and Indiana University (IUPUI).

Johnson will become part of a warm and welcoming community at the iSchool when she begins her new position as lecturer in the fall 2020 semester.