SIS Advisory Board

The School of Information Sciences (SIS) established an Advisory Board in 2006 that is comprised of a prestigious group of information professionals who collectively spans many disciplines from respected institutions across the country.

The Board will consult with school faculty on curricular and strategic topics related to the school’s successful graduate program at the University of Tennessee. According to a survey by U.S. News & World Report released in April 2006, SIS rose in its national standing to 16th out of some 58 graduate programs in library and information sciences accredited by the American Library Association. SIS hopes that the new board will help the school realize its goal of being recognized as among the top 10 schools in the next ranking.

Dr. Ed Cortez, professor and director of SIS, said that “the major agenda item for this year’s board will be to set priorities for the academic year and to fine-tune the implementation of the School’s new Strategic Plan, according to its new Vision Statement.” School faculty drafted an ambitious Strategic Plan last year that targets the university’s global mission, the school’s international research collaborations, and effective management of students, alumni, and industry and academic partnerships.

The board’s inaugural meeting was September 14-15, 2006, on the University of Tennessee campus. Dr. Abby Goodrum gave the keynote address, entitled "Educating Librarians and Journalists: Intersections, Gaps, Opportunities, & Challenges," which was captured on video.

A Board of Visitors supported the school from the early 1970s to 1996 and,
like the new Advisory Board, represented diverse industries and disciplines within libraries and information sciences. Former Board of Visitors members included the president of Information Industry Association, the president and CEO of Thompson Business Information Group, the president of Maxima Corporation, a manager from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and directors of special, academic, and public libraries.

The SIS Advisory Board is governed by its Bylaws. Board members include:

1. Debra Bade, Editor, News Research and Archives, Chicago
   Tribune
2. Elizabeth Bibby (SIS 1996), Library & Information Services Director, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, and recipient of a SIS Distinguished Alumni Award
3. Shawn Collins (SIS 1996) Technology Strategist, Hewlett Packard,
   OR, formerly SIS Budget Director and Technology Coordinator
4. Robert E. “Bob” Conrad (SIS 1983), Library Director, Oak Ridge
   National Laboratory
5. Sue Diehl (SIS 1971), Assistant Professor and reference
   librarian at Montreat College, NC
6. Amy Disch, Library Director, The Columbus Dispatch
7. Allison Evatt (SIS 1997), MLIS Consultant, Graduate Education
   Program, Thomson Dialog Co.
8. Bonnie Hanks (SIS 2000) Reference Librarian, Jefferson Madison
   Regional Library, Charlottesville, VA
9. William Hawk (SIS 1998); Education Program Specialist, Maryland Virtual Learning Opportunities Program, Maryland State Department of Education
10. Annelle Huggins, Executive Director, Tennessee Library
    Association
11. Jeannine Hunter (SIS 2005), Journalist, The Nashville
    Tennessean
12. Wallace Koehler (SIS 1997), Director and Professor, Master of
    Library and Information Science Program, Valdosta State University, GA
13. Pat Powell (SIS 1996), Senior Vice-President, Information International
    Associates, Oak Ridge
14. Eleanor Read (SIS 2000), Associate Professor and Social Science
    Data Services Librarian, University of Tennessee
15. Angela Roberts (SIS 1999), School Library Media Specialist, West
    Valley Middle School, Knoxville. Photo Researcher, Random House Children's
    Books
16. Samantha Seiple (SIS 1996), Author of Mutants, Clones, and
    Killer Corn: Unlocking the Secrets of Biotechnology, by Lerner
    Publications)
17. Jeanne Sugg, State Librarian and Archivist, Tennessee State
    Library and Archives
18. Theresa Venable (SIS 2003), Librarian, Langston Hughes Library,
    Children’s Defense Fund, Haley Farm, TN
19. Jeff Weddle (PhD, SIS 2003), Assistant Professor, School of
    Library and Information Studies, University of Alabama
20. Teresa S. Welsh (PhD 2002, SIS 1993), Assistant Professor,
    School of Library & Information Science, The University of Southern
    Mississippi