Meet Jessica McClean, New Director of Open Educational Resources

I would like to introduce Jessica McClean, new Director of Open Educational Resources (OER) for the University of Texas at Arlington Libraries! She has ten years of experience in libraries, two of those focused on OER, and comes to us from Texas State University.

Alexandra Pirkle (AP): As a way of introducing yourself in this current environment, what piece of media (book/movie/TV show/album/etc.) would you say best represents yourself? Why?

Jessica McClean (JM): I’ve loved Alice in Wonderland since I was a child. When I was little, I listened to the audiobook so many times I could recite it from memory! I think this story is a perfect mix of silly, surreal, and dark fantasy, with amazing characters and brilliant wordplay. I relate to Alice’s curiosity and imagination, but most importantly, I feel a real kinship with the way she constantly talks to herself.

AP: What three words best describe your personal aesthetic (e.g. cozy, eclectic, whimsical, vintage, etc.)?

JM: Cozy, simple, and geometric.

AP: What makes you most excited to work for UTA Libraries?

JM: I’m excited to work with and learn from my new colleagues. During my interviews, I was so impressed by their enthusiasm and passion for providing excellent service and amazing support for our UTA community. I’m so happy to join the team!

AP: What is something about you that others would be surprised to know?

JM: My hobby is collecting new hobbies! I love to try new things and learn a little bit about a lot of topics, so I’m a great asset on a trivia team.

Thank you for the interview, Jessica! We are excited to have you on board.