Academic Advisor Katelyn Talbott has assumed the position of chair of the Advising Graduate and Professional Students Community, which is part of NACADA, a global community for academic advising. Her two-year term began in December 2021. In her previous role as a member of the community's steering committee, Talbott served as a panelist at the 2020 NACADA Annual Conference, participated in the quarterly Graduate Professional Series Talks as a panelist and co-moderator, and participated in the 2021 NACADA Annual Conference as a lead presenter on program assessment methods.
"Over the next two years, my overarching goals are to grow our community, host opportunities to network within the community, and also better understand our members," she said. "Through compiling member titles, roles, and responsibilities, it is my hope that the data might be analyzed and used as a benchmark for the continued success of our Advising Graduate and Professional Students Community members."
At the iSchool, Talbott primarily advises students in the MS in library and information science (MS/LIS) program. In 2020, she received the Region 5 Excellence in Advising - New Advisor award from NACADA and was named Outstanding New Advising Professional by IlliAAC, a professional development organization for student and academic affairs staff at the University of Illinois. She holds an EdD in education policy, organization, and leadership and master's and bachelor's degrees in sport management, recreation, sport, and tourism, all from the University of Illinois.
"Through my service on the Advising Graduate and Professional Students Community, I hope to share how the iSchool supports students as well as bring back ideas from colleagues to further enhance the success of our students," said Talbott.