Simmons Success

librarians as leaders
For many librarians and information science professionals, building a successful career means attaining a director-level position that requires an advanced level of experience, training, and managerial skills. Assistant Professor Nancy Rossiter aims to assist her students with at least one of those qualifications. As a professor at the Simmons GSLIS, Rossiter teaches Principles of Management, which acquaints students with basic management functions, such as planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling.

“Librarians continually affirm for me the value of good management education and training,” says Rossiter. “Vendor relations, budget management, and negotiation are some of the managerial skills they cite as using most often.”

After obtaining her B.A. in English, Rossiter worked at Dun and Bradstreet as a business reporter. “Speaking with small business owners piqued my interest in entrepreneurship,” says Rossiter. She decided to pursue an MBA at Bryant College, and after that launched her own publishing company.

With most of the work for her publications being completed just prior to press runs, Rossiter found herself with time to explore other career alternatives. That’s when she began teaching. “I first taught desktop publishing, then computer and management courses,” she notes. “I knew if I wanted a career in teaching, I would have to obtain my doctorate.” Rossiter holds a DBA in management and has taught at a number of colleges and universities throughout New England, including Roger Williams University, Providence College, UMass Dartmouth, Bryant College, and most recently, Bay Path College.

Rossiter joined the Simmons faculty in the fall of 2003. “Accepting a position at the Simmons GSLIS was a great way to marry my teaching experience in management and information technology,” says Rossiter. “It also presented the opportunity to explore the field of leadership and management within a library science setting. I’m committed to exploring how the school can best prepare our graduates to be exceptional librarians and leaders.”

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For many librarians and information science professionals, building a successful career means attaining a director-level position that requires an advanced level of experience, training, and managerial skills. Assistant Professor Nancy Rossiter aims to assist her students with at least one of those qualifications. As a professor at the Simmons GSLIS, Rossiter teaches Principles of Management, which acquaints students with basic management functions, such as planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling. “Librarians continually affirm for me the value of good management education and training,” says Rossiter. “Vendor relations, budget management, and negotiation are some of the managerial skills they cite as using most often.” After obtaining her B.A. in English, Rossiter worked at Dun and Bradstreet as a business reporter. “Speaking with small business owners piqued my interest in entrepreneurship,” says Rossiter. She decided to pursue an MBA at Bryant College, and after that launched her own publishing company. With most of the work for her publications being completed just prior to press runs, Rossiter found herself with time to explore other career alternatives. That’s when she began teaching. “I first taught desktop publishing, then computer and management courses,” she notes. “I knew if I wanted a career in teaching, I would have to obtain my doctorate.” Rossiter holds a DBA in management and has taught at a number of colleges and universities throughout New England, including Roger Williams University, Providence College, UMass Dartmouth, Bryant College, and most recently, Bay Path College. Rossiter joined the Simmons faculty in the fall of 2003. “Accepting a position at the Simmons GSLIS was a great way to marry my teaching experience in management and information technology,” says Rossiter. “It also presented the opportunity to explore the field of leadership and management within a library science setting. I’m committed to exploring how the school can best prepare our graduates to be exceptional librarians and leaders.”
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