July 02, 2026
Five join SIU Alumni Association board of directors
CARBONDALE, Ill. — The SIU Alumni Association has selected five alumni — with diverse backgrounds and experiences — to join the organization’s board of directors and serve a two-year term beginning July 1.
Robert W. Best ’94, Andrew J. Krause ’92, Jennifer Polk ’03, Sean J. Smith ’00 and Jonathan A. Tallman ’98 were ratified by the board at its spring meeting in May from a national candidate pool of about 50 applicants. The new appointees will undergo board orientation and begin serving their term. They join as Laura Soucy, a 1987 graduate, begins her term as president of the board, succeeding Scott Moller ’85.
“We’re proud to have such an amazing group of alumni joining us, and I’m excited to work with them over the next couple of years,” Soucy said. “These alums stood out among a very strong slate of other Salukis who volunteered to serve on the board. We’re looking forward to what they will bring to the table.”
Molly Hudgins, executive director of the SIU Alumni Association, also lauded those selected for the board and thanked everyone who applied.
“I’m never disappointed with the response when we ask Salukis to step up and serve their alma mater,” Hudgins said. “We had a great selection of candidates, and I want to thank everyone who applied. We’ve chosen people with a diverse set of skills and ideas equipped to carry the Association forward.”
New members to the SIU Alumni Association National Board of Directors are:
Robert W. Best '94
Best, a certified financial planner, is a senior vice president with Morgan Stanley and a partner in the Kelley/Best Group of Morgan Stanley in Indianapolis. He has been recognized as one of the Best-in-State Wealth Management Advisors by Forbes Magazine for Indiana and advises on over $600 million in client assets, including nonprofit organizations. Best earned a U.S. Army commission through the Saluki ROTC Battalion. He spent several years on active duty before pursuing his civilian career in financial services. Best remains engaged with SIU through his alumni association membership, the Sigma Phi Epsilon, Illinois Kappa Chapter Fraternity alumni group, and participation in events, including Homecoming and regional Saluki gatherings. Best and his wife, Missie,'95, reside in Zionsville, Indiana.
Andrew J. Krause '92
Krause is the president of PRSA Chicago and is a Chicago-based communications and public relations professional with an entrepreneurial background in marketing, promotions, and stakeholder engagement. A former student leader in SIU’s Public Relations Student Society of America chapter, Krause remains actively involved with the university through alumni events, student speaking engagements, and mentorship of Saluki interns and early-career professionals. Krause resides in Chicago.
Jennifer Polk '03
Polk is a business and marketing executive who serves as a managing vice president in Gartner’s Marketing and Communication Practice, where she leads analysts delivering strategic insights to chief marketing officers. A former chief marketing and digital experience officer at Feeding America, Polk brings more than two decades of leadership experience spanning marketing, digital strategy, and organizational transformation. She is a proud alumna of Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s College of Business and Analytics and has remained connected to SIU through mentorship and service. Polk is also a wife, proud mother of three, and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She lives in Aurora, Illinois.
Sean J. Smith '00
Smith’s connection to SIU began in 1996 when he arrived on campus as a 16-year-old freshman from Abilene, Texas. As the son of a military parent, he spent much of his youth moving between states before finding a sense of belonging in Carbondale. While earning his Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice in 2000, Smith became a campus leader, serving in Undergraduate Student Government and as president of both the Black Affairs Council and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Smith serves as assistant principal at Thornridge High School in Dolton, Illinois. His career has included leadership roles with Chicago Public Schools and as principal of Vivian E. Summers Preparatory School. He holds three graduate degrees and is pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership. A dedicated alumnus, Smith founded the Chicagoland “Dinner with Salukis” series, strengthening alumni connections and supporting Saluki-owned businesses. Smith lives in Chicago.
Jonathan A. Tallman '98
Tallman is the superintendent of Red Bud Community Unit School District 132, a role he has held for 14 years, leading district operations, finance, personnel, and strategic planning. A proud SIU alumnus and former Saluki football player, Tallman has remained engaged with the university through service on the SIU Alumni Association’s College Council, representing the School of Education. Tallman lives in Red Bud.