Meet Our New Intern! Annalee Whitten

December 04, 2025

Meet Annalee Whitten, one of our new interns in the Student Access & Success Unit. Annalee will serve as a graphic design/social media intern for the Kentucky Advising Academy (KAA). Annalee currently attends Morehead State University, pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in studio art and a Master of Business Administration in marketing.

We recently caught up with her to hear about her education goals and what new and exciting things she will be learning through her CPE internship. 

What drew you to CPE?

CPE's mission reflects everything I believe in: that education can transform lives. Growing up with a college professor as a parent, I spent much of my childhood running around the halls of Maysville Community and Technical College. Because of that, higher education has always been a place full of possibility, support, and community.I wanted to be part of an organization that brings those opportunities to students across the state.

What do you think the work the Kentucky Advising Academy does matters? Why should people listen? 

KAA’s work matters because advising is foundational to student success. Growing up surrounded by educators, I had an incredible group of advisors and mentors who supported me in my transition into higher education. Not every student has that built-in support system. KAA helps bridge that gap by empowering advisors with tools, training, and community so they can provide the kind of guidance every student deserves.

People should listen because strong advising has a direct impact on retention, confidence, career readiness, and equity across Kentucky. 

Why does higher education matter to you? 

Higher education matters to me on both a personal and professional level. I grew up in it, surrounded by classrooms, faculty offices, and students trying to build their futures. I saw how transformative college could be, not just academically but emotionally and socially. My own experience in higher education has helped me grow as an artist, communicator, and leader. It has opened doors and shaped my identity, and I want to help ensure that students across Kentucky have access to the same kind of meaningful, empowering educational experience. 

  What skills/insights do you hope to gain out of this experience?

I hope to improve my design skills and creativity while working within a specific branding guideline. I want to learn how to create graphics that are both visually engaging and aligned with a consistent organizational identity. I’m excited to develop my ability to design intentionally for educational audiences and I also hope to gain insight into how communication and design support statewide initiatives and how thoughtful visual strategy strengthens outreach and impact. 

Ultimately, what difference do you hope your contributions will make for higher education in Kentucky? 

I hope my contributions help advisors feel more supported and confident in the resources available to them. By creating accessible graphics, clearer communication, and more user-friendly social media, I want to help advisors and educators more easily find what they need to best support students. 

One fun fact about Annalee: She has been painting and drawing since she was five years old, and now creates murals and other large scale artworks alongside her studies.

The Kentucky Advising Academy aims to support educators around the state who serve in advising roles by providing comprehensive professional learning sessions, online resources, and networking opportunities to guide college and career decision making.

To learn more about the KAA, visit https://cpe.ky.gov/ourwork/kyadvising.html