Gillean named NSU's Outstanding Graduate Student

Tulsa area graduate student Alicia Gillean received the top honor from Northeastern State Universitys Graduate Council this month when she was named Outstanding Graduate Student for 2011.

Outstanding graduate students are nominated by NSUs Graduate Council and voted on by the administration and faculty. The criteria include community service and outstanding academic achievement.

Gillean is an exemplary student, said Dr. Tom Jackson, assistant vice president for academic affairs and dean of the Graduate College. She is determined and has dedicated herself to the highest standards and embodies the all-around education provided by Northeasterns graduate programs.

Gillean has a 4.0 grade point average and earned her masters degree in library media and information technology this spring. While attending NSU-Broken Arrow, she was a member of the Alpha Chi national college honor society and president of the Library Media Information Technology Student Association.

She is a member of the Oklahoma Library Association, the American Library Association, the American Association of School Librarians and Learning Forward. During the past academic year she gave presentations for the Learning Forward national conference and the Encylomedia conference for Oklahoma school librarians, counselors and coordinators.

Gillean said she was flattered that her professors nominated her for the award.

I feel honored to represent a group of dedicated and hard-working professionals in the graduate program at NSU, particularly those that I know well within the library media graduate program she said.

Dr. Angel Kymes, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction, served as Gilleans graduate academic adviser. Kymes and Dr. Barbara Ray, associate professor of curriculum and instruction, nominated Gillean for the honor.

Alicia is a model of the new type of school librarian, Kymes said. She loves incorporating new technologies into her projects and will share ways in which she motivates her students to learn through technology. She is one of the most well-prepared and engaging students Ive had the opportunity to teach. She is energetic, highly intelligent and can be counted on to bring lively discussions to each class.

Gillean serves as the school librarian for Jenks West Intermediate School. While organizing initiatives in reading, research and literacy, she works with fifth- and sixth-grade students and their teachers to effectively, safely and meaningfully integrate technology into the curriculum.

I am grateful for the support and encouragement that Dr. Kymes and Dr. Ray offered me throughout my studies, Gillean said. I would also like to thank my principal, Michelle Sumner, for having confidence in me to learn on the job as I earned my degree and worked concurrently in my new position as the school librarian. And Im thankful for the love and understanding of my husband, David, who supported me while I worked toward my masters degree.

Visit NSU's Graduate College for information about enrolling.