Profile

Dr. Jennifer Dean

Director, Frances Willson Thompson Library,
University of Michigan-Flint

Contact Details

Director, Frances Willson Thompson Library,
University of Michigan-Flint

Jennifer Dean

Please reference ALA's Personal Data Notification

Bio

Dr. Jennifer L. Dean provides leadership, budget oversight, and strategic planning for the Frances Willson Thompson Library at UM-Flint. Jennifer holds a PhD in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education (HALE) from Michigan State University and a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) from Wayne State University. She also holds a Bachelor of Music from Central Michigan University and a Master of Music and Performance Certificate in bassoon from Northwestern University. Jennifer is active in several national and state professional organizations and currently serves as the American Library Association Councilor of the Board of Directors for the Michigan Library Association. Her research interests include organizational theory, leadership, and communication, with dissertation research in organizational change in academic library collection development and acquisitions. Her teaching experience includes graduate instruction in research methods, using a blended online and face-to-face format. Jennifer plays bassoon with the Midland Symphony Orchestra and enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends, especially her husband - Dennis Hillers, a fellow librarian - and their cat and dog.

Education

Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan, United States
PhD, 2019
Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education
2012 To 2019
Dissertation: Change of Heart: The Influence of the External Environment on Academic Library Collections
Advisor: Dr. Brendan Cantwell

Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan, United States
Master of Library and Information Science, 2001
Library and Information Science
1999 To 2001

Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois, United States
Master of Music and Performance Certificate, 1994
Music, bassoon performance
1993 To 1995

Central Michigan University
Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, United States
Bachelor of Music, 1993
Music, bassoon performance
1989 To 1993

Job History

University of Michigan-Flint
Director, Frances Willson Thompson Library
Flint, MI, United States
March 2022 - present

University of Detroit Mercy
Dean of Libraries and Instructional Technology
Detroit, MI, United States
February 2016 - February 2022

Siena Heights University
Library Director
Adrian, MI, United States
March 2014 - January 2016

Saginaw Valley State University
Head of Collection Development and Acquisitions
University Center, MI, United States
March 2007 - March 2014

Northland Library Cooperative
Director
Alpena, MI, United States
May 2005 - March 2007

Harrison Community Library
Assistant Librarian (2 years), promoted to Library Director (3 years)
Harrison, MI, United States
January 2001 - May 2005