Dr. Kristie Escobar (PhD ’19), a Tallahassee native, is a proud alumna of Florida State University (FSU). She earned her Master of Science (MLIS) degree and PhD in Information from the College of Communication and Information (CCI), where she developed a solid foundation that fueled her ongoing commitment to advancing the field.

Escobar currently works as a Lecturer for the MLIS program at Old Dominion University, which received ALA accreditation in 2020. In Fall 2024, she also took on an additional role as MLIS Internship Coordinator. Her coordinator position helps prepare students with 160 hours of practical and theoretical experience in librarianship and information science that will help them advance in fields such as media specialists, information authorities, and librarians. Her education at FSU played a key role in helping her reach her current achievements.

Also serving on the 2026 Newbery Award Selection Committee for the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), Escobar is part of a team that selects titles representing the best literature for children up to 14 years of age. “This is one of the most distinguished literature awards in the U.S. and I was inspired by my MLIS coursework, particularly with Dr. Melissa Gross and Dr. Don Latham, to pursue this opportunity to serve,” said Escobar.

Escobar is also a dedicated mentor, deeply committed to sharing her knowledge and empowering others. She helps others develop their skills and reach their full potential. Escobar said, “I’ve learned that I have a servant’s heart which means I feel a call to share with others the power one has with access to information grounded in strong information literacy skills. I see the world as wide-open and full of opportunity and hope I can inspire others to see the same.”

When looking for inspiration, Escobar turns to her three children, Veronika, Noah, and Landon. “My children—all 3 are adults now and I’m proud of their successes. They were raised resilient as military children so they don’t discover any obstacles they cannot overcome,”  Escobar said.

In addition to drawing inspiration from her children, Escobar also greatly admires CCI Dean Michelle Kazmer.  Escobar spoke about how Kazmer was not only an amazing PhD committee chair, but also “served as a role model in how to instruct students respectfully/kindly while teaching to inspire them as well.”

Inspired by role models like Dean Kazmer, Escobar emphasizes the importance of thoughtful guidance in her own advice to current college students. She reflected on her time at FSU, recalling how challenging her undergraduate years were. However, she knew that once she discovered her passion, things would get better.

“I was a young person ‘checking the block’ with earning my degree. When I began graduate studies 15 years later, it was an entirely different experience, and I just kept going through two master’s and a PhD,” Escobar said.

Dr. Escobar’s ongoing efforts to promote the importance of communication and information at FSU and beyond embody what it means to be a CCI graduate.