Author: Douglas Neary

Gemmell, Brooke Foti

Brooke Foti Gemmell specializes in communications design, art, and photography. As a UConn alum, she earned her BFA in Studio Art with studies in Photography, Video Art & Communication Design and a minor in Digital Arts. Brooke also studied Graphic Design at Central Saint Martins in London. She was previously a Hilla Rebay Fellow in Trinity College’s Studio Art Department in Hartford, CT, where she coordinated programming for the Broad Street Gallery and opened her first solo book exhibit, entitled Long Road Home. Before taking on the role of Design Strategist, Brooke worked as a multimedia Archivist Assistant for the U. Roberto (Robin) Romano Papers at UConn’s Archives & Special Collections Department. Brooke has since been parked at the intersection of art, communication, and research; with a talent for solving visual problems and creating engaging resources for users, Brooke continues to guide the visual identity of Greenhouse Studios and its projects as a Design Strategist.

 

Areas of Expertise

  • Art & Creative Direction
  • Digital Video Production
  • Visual Design (Graphic, Publication, Web & Interactive)
  • Photography Scholarly Communications Design

 

Recent Works 

 

Professional Affiliations 

  • AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts)

Giard, Kim

Kim works in Library Administration and is responsible for the management of the Research Carrel Program for the Homer Babbidge Library. She is also the contact point for library staff and students on student employment, payroll inquiries, and time and labor. Kim brings exceptional customer service support to staff, students and Library patrons. Prior to coming to the Library, Kim worked as the assistant to the Head of the Department of Physics. Kim is a big fan of big dogs (German Shepherds are her favorite), plants, and is a self-proclaimed tree-hugger.

Guardiani, Patricia

I was hired in 2013 as a part time (nights and weekends) Building and Grounds Patrol Officer. I enjoyed working with my security team, the staff, and the public for almost 6 years. During that time I was fortunate enough to start broadening my duties which lead to a new opportunity and I now work full time in the mailroom and facilities. I oversee receipt, security, distribution, and outgoing mailings for all mail services items coming through the Homer Babbidge Library. I also love to work with the students as their supervisor, training Facility and Mailroom student employees. I coordinate workflows to meet project timelines for all facilities-related student projects in the Homer Babbidge Library and I love the challenge in doing so with the help of my wonderful students. My students and I also coordinate the physical organization and maintenance of collections and art housed in the Homer Babbidge Library.

Lee, Marsha

Marsha Lee is a Research and Instruction Librarian at the UConn Hartford Library. She joined the library in 2004 and currently supports the Engineering & Sciences and Humanities programs on campus. She has helped develop the library’s new Innovation Lab and co-designed library versions of Escape Room and The Amazing Race, both providing students a fun new way to engage with library resources and services. Marsha is originally from Queens, NY and holds a B.S. in Computer Information Systems and an M.L.S in Library Science with a concentration in Information Science. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hand weaving, listening to music and binge-watching a really good TV series.

 

Areas of Expertise

  • Game-Based Learning
  • Instructional Design

     

    Leon, Khara

    Khara Leon is the Assistant Dean for Library Administration for the UConn Library and her areas of responsibility include the Library’s administrative services, assessment and research, budget and finance, digital solutions and technology, facilities and security, human resources, and organizational development.

    Her professional focus is to lead and support efforts across diversity, equity, and inclusion, change management, operational effectiveness, and relationship management. An alumni of the University of Connecticut, Khara received her BA in History and Sociology in 2001 and her MS in Human Resource Management from the School of Business in 2017.

     

    Areas of Expertise

    • Workflow and Change Management
    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
    • Recruitment and Workforce Solutions
    • Emotional Intelligence and Conflict Resolution

     

    Professional Affiliations

     

    Marsalisi, Ryan

    Ryan Marsalisi is Interim Head of Financial Services at the UConn Library. Within the Financial Services Unit, Ryan is responsible for the following: employee travel and non-travel reimbursements, purchasing of collection and non-collection materials, Foundation payments, catering, and vendor setup/edits. He also assists with budget reconciliation and tracking. Ryan worked as a student worker in the Library for four years before being hired as a permanent staff member in 2016. He also has a bachelor’s degree in Statistics from the University of Connecticut. In Ryan’s free time, he enjoys sports, running, traveling and spending time with family.