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.
SIS acknowledges the substantial contributions made by former Advisory Board members.
