Dr. Cordell is Assistant Professor of Library Media in the Department of Instructional Leadership, where she also teaches graduate-level education courses. Before joining the University of West Alabama faculty, Dr. Cordell was a middle school librarian and high school Spanish teacher. She also has worked as a news editor, reporter, columnist and photographer for a weekly newspaper, and as a freelance writer and photographer.

Dr. Cordell currently holds the Alabama AA Certification in P-12 School Library Media; Alabama B Certification in Secondary English and Spanish; and Highly Qualified status in English, Spanish and School Library Media. She is a National Board Certified Teacher as well as an NBCT Candidate Support Provider.

SACS Learning Resources and Services Committee
SACS Standard Six Committee Co-Chair
Office of Sponsored Programs Advisory Council
Academic Integrity Committee, COE representative
NCATE College of Education Professional Dispositions Committee
Instructional Leadership and Support Course Review Committee
Library Media subcommittee
College of Education Program Orientation Committee
Library Media subcommittee
University Scholars Award Committee

All issues pertaining to school librarianship, with an emphasis in school library advocacy, student diversity and equity, and intellectual freedom

Teacher candidates' perceptions of the role of the school librarian in advancing student achievement. Ongoing research with Dr. Reenay R.H. Rogers.

Rogers, R.R.H. & Cordell, S. (2011) An examination of student opinions of the lecture capture system Tegrity. Journal of Integration of Technology in the Classroom, 3(1).

Cordell, S. (2011, February). School libraries: Into the Marginalised zone. info@aslaNSW: Newsletter of the Australian School Library Association New South Wales. 1(4-7).

Cordell, S. (2010). Public school libraries as safe harbors: Using reading to reach the marginalized students who enter our doors. Paper presented at “Reading 2010”, Your School Library’s Fourth International Online Conference. Online, May 25-June 10.

Chism, M., Thomas, E. L., Knight, D., Miller, J., Cordell, S., Smith, L. & Richardson, D.
(2010). Study of graduate student perceptions at The University of West Alabama. Alabama Counseling Association Journal, 1(49-55).

Cordell, S. (2011). “The School Library as a Safe Space for Marginalized Students”. Poster presentation. 40th Annual Conference of the International Association of School Librarianship and 15th International Forum on Research in School Librarianship, The University of West Indies/Mona, Kingston, Jamaica, August 9.

Cordell, S. (2011). “How Many? Making the Population Connection across the Curricula”. Alabama Library Media Symposium of the Alabama Educational Technology Conference, Birmingham, AL, June 14.

Cordell, S. & Parker, L. (2010). “There IS Power in Numbers: Helping AIMA (Alabama
Instructional Media Association) Spread the Power of Advocacy through District Activation”. Alabama Instructional Media Association Annual Summer Conference, Hoover, AL, June 7.

Cordell, S. (2010). “Advice to New Library Media Specialists.” Luncheon speaker, Third
Annual Leadership Conference for New Librarians, Hoover, AL, June 6.

Cordell, S. & Parker, L. (2010). “The Best Things Come to Those Who Bait: Luring New
Teachers into the Library Media Center”. Alabama Instructional Media Association Mid-Winter Conference, Montgomery, AL, January 15.

Cordell, S. (2009). “Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones. . .But Words Can Hurt Me, Too: The Role of Literature and Library Media Specialists in Combating Bullying”. Alabama Instructional Media Association Annual Summer Conference, Birmingham, AL, June 8.

Cordell, S. (2007). “Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones. . .And Words Will Hurt Me, Too: Attacking Bullying through Adolescent and Young Adult Literature”. Delta Kappa Gamma Beta State Convention, Huntsville, AL, February 23.

Cordell, S. (2011, November). Personal essays accepted for presentation at the Fall Faculty Colloquium, The University of West Alabama.

Cordell, S. (2011, June). I am home. Personal essay. Broadcast on Bob Edwards Weekend, Public Radio International.

Cordell, S. (2009). You can go home again. Personal essay, print and audio formats. This I Believe. Online at www.thisibelieve.org.

Conferences Arranged:

“West Alabama Library Leadership Symposium: Rekindle, Reignite and Reconnect”. (2011). Planned and executed by Dr. Cordell and Lesa Parker, Ed.S., NBCT. The University of West Alabama, September 28.

“The Power of Grants: Learning the Basics of Grant Writing” for area educators and school administrators”. (2010). Planned and executed by Dr. Cordell, Dr. Neil Snider and Vivian Hauser. The University of West Alabama, October 20.

“Come Alive with ASLA!” (2010). Organizational meeting/workshop for Districts 3 and 6 of the Alabama School Library Association (formerly Alabama Instructional Media Association). Planned and executed by Dr. Cordell and the students in her course, LM 666: School Library Media Centers and School Reform. The University of West Alabama, July 28.