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Doctor of Musical Arts, Music; Master of Music, Music; Bachelor of Arts, Music

Education:
Master of Library and Information Science, Wayne State University
Bachelor of Arts, Public History, Western Michigan University

Publications:
Martin, E. A., & Sheehan, L. A. (2018). The new “jack of all”: the evolution of the functionality and focus of the academic librarian in new spaces and new roles. In Challenging the “jacks of all trades but masters of none” librarian syndrome (pp. 67-90). Emerald Publishing Limited.
Cadena, C. & Martin, E.A. (2016), How to make information literacy real: Reimagining library instruction to prepare today's business students for the workforce. LOEX Conference Proceedings.
https://commons.emich.edu/loexconf2016/39
Martin, E. & Sheehan, L. (2014). How to effectively manage work and time. In Graces, A. (Ed.) The small library manager's handbook. (pp. 26-34). Rowman & Littlefield.

Bio:
Beth has been immersed in library and information sciences since the mid-1990s, beginning their career as a photograph indexer at General Motors Media Archive in Warren, MI. In 2000, she and their husband, Mies—who is also a librarian—and eldest son relocated to Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula. Beth served as the library director for a combined school/public library in Lake Linden, MI, where they provided services spanning multiple generations, from Pre-K to adult learners. In addition to managing the library, they led story times and taught classes on computer skills, digital literacy, media, and information literacy.

In 2007, Beth joined Finlandia University in Hancock, MI, as an Associate Librarian, becoming the Library Director within the academic year. They transitioned to Grand Valley State University in 2013, serving as department chair for the Steelcase Library on the downtown Grand Rapids campus and as a member of the University Libraries’ leadership team. While their family left Michigan’s Upper Peninsula reluctantly, Beth embraced the opportunities of city life in their new role.

In 2020, Beth shifted their focus joining Western Michigan University Libraries as an Open Educational Resources Librarian (two year, grant funded appointment). There, they administered two library-funded grants supporting faculty adoption and creation of open educational resources and provided professional development opportunities for around Open Education and Open Pedagogy for the university. By 2022, she was ready for a new direction and took on the role of board governance/legal librarian for Corewell Health in Grand Rapids. When this position was eliminated due to budgetary cuts, it proved to be a fortunate turning point. Beth is now the College Librarian at Lake Michigan College, a role they embrace wholeheartedly.

Beth lives with their husband, Mies, and their two adult sons, Andrew and Aidan, who frequently return to the family home as they navigate their next life steps. Beth & Mies eagerly look forward to seeing them spread their wings and soar.

I earned my Ph.D. in sociology at the University of Oregon. My research and teaching expertise includes the study of racial stratification in the United States, racial identity formation, and the experiences of students of color in higher education. I have additional research/teaching specialties in social media communications and Internet studies. Presently, my research examines the role of social media communications in racial identity formation for African American young adults in college.

In addition, as head of sociology, I am responsible for: curriculum design and cross-program collaboration; facilitating student access to resources; primary faculty advising to all sociology and social work majors.

As an administrator and educator, Ms. Mason is dedicated to the success of learners and has worked in higher education for nine years. Ms. Mason is a servant leader and strong advocate for community partnerships that aid students in attaining their educational goals. Her educational background includes a Master's of Business Administration and Master of Health Administration from the University of Phoenix. She is also a member of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

Master of Arts, Vocal Performance; Bachelor of Arts, Music