The School of Information Sciences (SIS) established an Advisory Board in 2006 that is comprised of a prestigious group of information professionals who collectively span many disciplines from respected institutions across the country.
The Board consults with school faculty on curricular and strategic topics related to the school’s successful graduate program at the University of Tennessee. According to a recent survey by U.S. News & World Report, SIS stands at 17th 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, works with the board to set priorities for the academic year and to fine-tune the implementation of the School’s Strategic Plan, according to its Vision Statement. The ambitious Strategic Plan targets the university’s global mission, the school’s international research collaborations, and effective management of students, alumni, and industry and academic partnerships. Board members this year will discuss implementing a student e-portfolio as a final school project and the possibilities of developing joint research opportunities between the advisory board members, their institutions, and SIS.
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 for 2009 - 2010 include:
- Robert E. “Bob” Conrad (potentially through 2010) (SIS 1983), Library Director, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- Janet Drumheller (through 2012) (SIS 1977), Reference Services Manager, Knox County Public Library
- Allison Evatt (potentially through 2010) (SIS 1997), MLIS Consultant, Graduate Education Program, Dialog Co.
- William Hawk (through 2010) (SIS 1998); Education Program Specialist, Maryland Virtual Learning Opportunities Program, Maryland State Department of Education
- Charles Hillen (through 2011) (SIS 2005), Head of Monograph Acquisitions and Metadata Services, Research Library at the Getty Research Institute
- Lynda Lewis (through 2012)
- Franciel Azpurua Linares (through 2011), (SIS 1998), Information Management & Technology Consulting Manager, Information International Associates, Inc
- Keith Powell (through 2012), (SIS 1997), Head of Acquisitions, The University of California Irvine Libraries
- Steffi Prigoff (through 2012), (SIS 1996), Senior Application Support Specialist, Client Care, SirsiDynix
- Angela Roberts (potentially through 2010) (SIS 1999), School Library Media Specialist, West Valley Middle School, Knoxville. Photo Researcher, Random House Children's Books
- Jeanne Sugg (potentially through 2010), State Librarian and Archivist, Tennessee State Library and Archives
- Pat Thompson (through 2011), (SIS 2001), Library Director, Obion County Public Library
- Jeff Weddle (potentially through 2010) (PhD, SIS 2003), Assistant Professor, School of Library and Information Studies, University of Alabama
- Lisa Zolly (through 2011) (SIS 1998), Knowledge Manager, U.S. Geological Survey
SIS acknowledges the substantial contributions made by former Alumni Board members.
