PI Spotlight: Cheylon Woods

Cheylon Woods, M.L.I.S, received her B.A. from Louisiana Tech in History and Political Science and continued on to obtain her Masters in Heritage Resources from Northwestern State University in Louisiana and a Masters in Library and Information Sciences from Louisiana State University. After her time at Northwestern State University, Woods worked as an Archivist at the Alabama State Department of Archives and History. She now serves as Head of the Ernest J. Gaines Center.

Throughout her time as an Archivist in Alabama, Woods worked in filling in information gaps related to African American history in the State of Alabama and worked on several public programs for the state specializing in preservation and the display of historical documents and artifacts.

Prior to Woods’ arrival, the Ernest J. Gaines Center received funding for their project entitled "Ernest J. Gaines and the Southern Experience," by the National Endowment for Humanities Foundation. This is a huge accomplishment for the center and has been a great learning experience for Woods as it is her first time working with the National Endowment for Humanities.

Future projects for Woods include a scholarly blog highlighting the works of Ernest J. Gaines and its values in different fields, as well as a book of student written poetry.