Introducing New Staff
Members of the Teaching and Technology Partnership--Arts & Sciences, The Teaching Center, and the University Libraries--would like to announce the following new staff.
Arts & Sciences Computing
Allen Wang has joined the Arts & Sciences Computing staff as Media and Technical Support Specialist. Allen supports the Arts & Sciences Computing Center and computer classrooms in the lower level of Eads Hall, coordinates Audio/Visual support for non-class related events in Arts & Sciences, and serves as the Departmental Support Representative for the Interdisciplinary Project in the Humanities and African and African American Studies. Before coming to Washington University, Allen designed and maintained computers for small businesses in his job at a St. Louis-area computer company. Originally from Taiwan, Allen came to the United States 10 years ago to study English and visual arts. He completed an M.A. in information systems in 2001 and a B.A. in studio art in 1999, both from Lindenwood University.
Stephen Pentecost is the new Digital Humanities Specialist in the Humanities Digital Workshop. Stephen's duties include providing software development and systems support for faculty research in the humanities. He currently supports Professor Joseph Lowenstein's Spenser Archive and Professor Gerald Early's Race in Children's Literature of the Gilded Age project, and he looks forward to upcoming efforts with American Culture Studies. Stephen has over 20 years experience as a software developer and project manager at several major St. Louis firms, including General American and Edward Jones. He holds a master's degree in English from Washington University and a bachelor's in English from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
The Teaching Center
In January, Michael Kennedy joined the staff of The Teaching Center as a Programming and Faculty-Support Specialist. Michael works with Mike Floyd to provide on-call support for the classrooms and classroom technology. In addition, he lends his programming expertise to Teaching Center projects including the Web site and the maintenance of the Crestron multimedia control systems installed in the classrooms. Michael earned his bachelor's degree in management and information systems at the University of Missouri-St. Louis in December 2007. While at U.M.S.L., Michael worked on the student newspaper, first as the Web editor, then as business manager.
University Libraries
Makiba Foster joined the University Libraries in January as a Reference and Subject Librarian for African and African American Studies and Women and Gender Studies. She also provides bibliographic instruction to Writing 1 students. While earning her M.L.S. (Master of Library Science) at the University of Alabama, Makiba served as a Fellow at the Institute of Museum and Library Services. She earned an M.A. in American studies, with a concentration in African American popular culture, and a B.A. in history, both from the University of Alabama.
Kristine Helbling became the University Libraries’ Reference and Subject Librarian for English in November 2007. She works closely with faculty and students in the English Department, addressing research and collections issues, and she provides bibliographic instruction to Writing 1 students. Before becoming a librarian, Kris taught English at Clayton High School. She has also taught at Fontbonne University and St. Louis Community College. Kris holds an M.L.S. from the University of Missouri at Columbia, an M.A.T. (Master of Arts in Teaching) from Washington University, and a B.A. in German from Middlebury College.
Colin McCaffrey became the Libraries’ Reference and Subject Librarian for Philosophy and Classics in December 2007. He also provides instructional support for the Writing 1 Program and general reference assistance. Colin holds a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois, where he worked in the Ricker Library of Architecture and Art. Earlier, Colin earned an M.A. in philosophy from the University of Chicago, where he worked at the Regenstein Library. He earned his bachelor's degree in philosophy at Hampshire College.
Tim Lepczyk joined the Libraries’ Digital Library Services, as Metadata Librarian, in November 2007. (The term “metadata” refers to data about data.) Tim develops and adapts metadata designs, directs work-flows, monitors trends, and helps determine best practices for various digital projects. Tim earned an M.S. in Information Sciences from the University of Tennessee, an M.A. in creative writing from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and a B.A. from Hope College, in English and Japanese studies. Tim previously worked at the University of Tennessee.
Melissa Vetter has stepped into a new position as Coordinator of Subject Specialists and Monographic Acquisitions Librarian. Melissa is continuing her role as Subject Librarian for the psychology department and the PNP and linguistics programs. In her new position, she helps subject librarians stay current on complex issues such as copyright and scholarly communication, and she is leading an effort to reach out to faculty to expand the use of library holdings and services. Melissa works with the head of collections and acquisitions to select materials and manage collections. After joining the staff of the University Libraries in 2002, Melissa earned her master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois. She earned her bachelor's in psychology from Southeast Missouri State University.