Department: Faculty and Staff

Dr. Nate Floyd serves as the Director of the School of Library Science at Marshall University, returning to his alma mater with a professional background that spans public librarianship, academic libraries, industry research, and higher education. He began his library career at the Cabell County Public Library in Huntington before earning his MLS from Indiana University and a PhD in Mass Communication. His teaching and program development experience includes curriculum-integrated instruction, media literacy initiatives, and student success programming across undergraduate and graduate levels.

In addition to his academic and library experience, Dr. Floyd brings industry expertise as a Senior User Experience Researcher with Adobe Inc., where he conducted user-centered research that informed product strategy and design. His scholarly work has earned national recognition, including a Top Faculty Paper award from the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC), a Top 20 Article honor from the American Library Association’s Library Instruction Roundtable, and inclusion on the LOEX Currents Reading List. His publications appear in Communications in Information Literacy, Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, Reference Services Review, Journal of Media Literacy Education, and the Journal of 20th Century Media History, and he is a frequent presenter at national and international conferences. His research interests include media history, media literacy, and user experience.

As Director, Dr. Floyd is focused on establishing the School of Library Science as an innovative hub for library and information science education. He is focused on strengthening curriculum, expanding community and industry partnerships, and preparing graduates to excel in diverse roles across the information landscape. A proud Marshall alumnus, he is dedicated to supporting students as they become the next generation of library and information professionals serving West Virginia and beyond.

Eiryn Poindexter is Outreach and Programming Coordinator for the School of Library Science. She began her career with Marshall University Libraries in 2019 as a student worker in Government Documents and later supported library administration, special projects, and access services. Poindexter brings experience in outreach, event planning, marketing, and community engagement through her work with Marshall University Libraries, HerdCon, and Cabell County Public Library.

In her current role, she leads recruitment and outreach initiatives, develops promotional content, coordinates student engagement programs, and serves as a key point of contact for current and prospective students. Her professional interests include library outreach, student engagement, programming, and building connections between libraries and the communities they serve.

Katy Zane is Assistant Professor in the School of Library Science. She brings extensive experience in academic librarianship, library assessment, archives and special collections, research support, and library instruction. Prior to joining the faculty, she served as a librarian at West Liberty University, where she provided research services, taught information literacy and research skills, managed archives and rare books, supported accreditation efforts, and led initiatives in library assessment, strategic planning, and technology integration.

Zane holds a Doctorate of Education in Leadership Studies from Marshall University and a Master of Library and Information Science with a Certificate of Advanced Study in Archives and Records Management from Wayne State University. Her professional interests include library assessment, research methodologies, academic librarianship, archives and special collections, student success, and the role of libraries in institutional effectiveness.