Katie Shoaf ‘11 ‘15 ‘18, originally from Lexington, North Carolina, has been inducted into the Cratis D. Williams Society of Outstanding Graduates.
The society is designed to include each year’s top graduates of the Cratis D. Williams Graduate School at Appalachian State University – approximately the top 2%. Students are chosen based upon their academic performance, their engagement in their discipline, and their potential for leadership.
“I am so honored to be inducted into the Cratis D. Williams Society of Outstanding Graduates, I was genuinely surprised to discover that I'd been nominated and selected. I enjoyed participating in the Library Science program and having the opportunity to engage with the exceptional faculty members; I learned so much from them.”
Shoaf now has three degrees from Appalachian State University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English and Spanish in 2011, a master’s in romance languages in 2015, and this fall has completed a master’s of library science (MLS). She also earned a graduate certificate in rhetoric and composition in 2015.
Faculty members from the MLS program, housed in the Department of Leadership and Educational Studies, nominated Shoaf for the society.
Why Appalachian
Shoaf originally selected Appalachian because she received sufficient need- and merit-based grants and scholarships to fully support her college career without needing to incur any debt. She notes that as a low-income student, this was critical. After graduation, she stayed in Boone to pursue advanced degrees and employment at Appalachian because she “fell in love with Boone, the mountains, and the community.”
“11 years later,” Shoaf says, “This still holds true. Appalachian is my home.”
In addition, she did succeed in finding employment at Appalachian. Shortly after completing her first master's degree, Shoaf accepted a position with the Office of Research as the Assistant Director of Grants Resources and Services, a role in which she continues to serve today. Furthermore, because many who held this position prior to Shoaf are librarians, she decided to pursue a second master’s in library science.
Why Library Science
Shoaf shared that she selected the library science program for several reasons:
- She was interested in the program because others in her position and office are librarians;
- She was looking for another degree to pursue to take advantage of Appalachian’s tuition waiver benefit for full-time staff members; and,
- She has always loved the idea of being a librarian, because she loves books and reading, and sharing this love with others has always appealed to her.
"I've also always loved the idea of being able to be a librarian. I love books and reading, and sharing this love with others has always appealed to me."
A Forever Student
Shoaf, who also serves as the Chair of Appalachian State University's Staff Senate, hopes to continue her education by pursuing a Ph.D. in higher education leadership.
She has applied to a program at Colorado State University, and if accepted, will begin next year.
Katie Shoaf
