Kat Coy among small group from across U.S. selected to serve university
By Bill Brewer
Kat Coy, who has served as a school counselor at Knoxville Catholic High School since July 2006, has been selected to serve on the University of Tennessee Admissions Counselor Advisory Board.
Mrs. Coy was selected as one of less than two dozen counselors from across the nation to serve on the UT panel. This group is dedicated to supporting students through collaboration and innovation.
According to UT, the board’s mission is to engage a select group of high-school counselors to provide valuable insights that help shape the strategic direction of student services at the University of Tennessee.
Mrs. Coy said she is grateful for the opportunity to represent the students and contribute to the future of college admissions at UT-Knoxville.
Mrs. Coy explained the selection process: “Each year, the admissions office selects new members to serve on the advisory board. Membership is a two-year commitment, with half of the members rotating off annually. The committee strives to include at least one local counselor and often looks for individuals with a long-standing history of working with UTK admissions,” she said.
She said her position as a school counselor for two decades at KCHS played an important part in her selection by UT. She also noted that the role of counselor in schools has evolved through the years.
“My professional title is school counselor, not ‘guidance counselor,’ as that term is considered outdated in my field. The title of school counselor reflects that I am a master’s-level trained professional who focuses on the academic, college/career, and social-emotional needs of every student,” she said.
“My 20-year career at KCHS played a significant role in my selection. Over the years, I have built strong connections with colleagues who also serve on the board and have extensive experience working with a variety of colleges throughout the admissions process,” she added.
Mrs. Coy’s role on the UTK board will be hands-on and strategic in nature.
“My role will be to serve as an advisory board member. The mission of the board is to engage a select group of high-school counselors to represent the students served by the University of Tennessee. As members, we act as a resource for the admissions staff by reviewing internal processes and providing valuable input to help guide UTK’s strategic direction in serving students effectively,” she said.
Mrs. Coy also described the significance of serving on this board.
“It is truly an honor to be selected for the Admissions Advisory Board. Only 21 counselors from across the nation were chosen, and I am proud to be one of them. This recognition means that UTK admissions sees me as a leader in my field—a qualified counselor, an advocate for students, and someone who can help make the admissions office more effective, equitable, and high-functioning,” she said.
“I am able to help them critically evaluate their practices and, in the end, find systems that best serve students. This honor recognizes my leadership in the counseling profession and my dedication to supporting students in their academic and college journeys,” she added.
The 21 counselors chosen for the UTK Admissions Counselor Advisory Board were selected from across the country, representing states including Florida, Idaho, New Jersey, Colorado, and Minnesota. Of the 21, seven are from Tennessee.
The board includes counselors from diverse regions and backgrounds, with a goal of incorporating local expertise and long-standing relationships with UTK admissions. It is also a mix of public-school counselors and private-school counselors.