Faculty Profile
Dear Readers:
Continuing with the faculty profile that we began last semester, this month Bibliofile presents Sue Alman.Name: Sue Alman
Position: Coordinator of Professional Development
and DLIS Adjunct Faculty; Coordinator of the FastTrack MLIS Program
Education: BA in History from Washington and Jefferson
College; MLS and Ph.D. in LS from the University of Pittsburgh
Research interests: Asynchronous learning, interpersonal
communication, marketing, social sciences.
In partnership with Dr. Barbara Frey at the Center for Instructional Development and Distance Education (CIDDE), she is studying student satisfaction with distance education and the cohort model.
Professor Alman explains that with distance education, the content
of courses remains the same. Only the delivery is different. Effective
communication is a critical factor since distance education students don't
have the opportunity for weekly face to face interaction. A number
of other library and information science institutions, including Drexel,
the University of Illinois, and Syracuse, offer online programs. Also,
other major research institutions outside of the profession offer online
programs, which are becoming a more accepted manner in which to earn a degree.
How she became interested in these subjects: Her interest
in distance education was a natural progression from her work with continuing
education.
Family: She has a husband, R.J., whom she met
in the SIS library. They have two children: Jennie, 13, and Christopher,
7. They also have two dogs, Hoover and Scruff.
What she likes about Pittsburgh: Professor Alman
is not a native of Pittsburgh. She grew up in upstate New York. However,
she has moved to and from Pittsburgh a total of three times. She likens
the city to an old house, with lots of interesting nooks and crannies. It
has a small town environment, with many cultural activities. Plus,
the university is a top-rated institution.
Hobbies: chauffeur children, walk the dogs, cook
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Is there anything other
than chocolate? Specifically, Chocolate Raspberry Truffles
Books she is currently reading: Bodies from the
Bog (a first grade favorite)
Favorite Book: No one favorite
Favorite TV Show: History Channel
The Final Question: What else would she like
students to know? Professor Alman enjoys working with students
and teaching. She is also a chocoholic.
Bibliofile thanks Sue Alman for agreeing to this interview.
It was a pleasure to talk with her.
Publication of the Department of Library &
Information Science
University of Pittsburgh
135 N. Bellefield Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Last updated January 22, 2003