(KINGSVILLE, 05/23/96)—Dr. Kay Clayton, vice president of Student Affairs and Special Programs at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, will attend a three-week institute for educational management at Harvard Graduate School of Education in Cambridge, Massachusetts July 7 - 26.
The educational management institute at Harvard, designed to meet the professional development needs of senior administrators in higher education, will offer Clayton opportunities to identify challenges affecting higher education, to explore strategies and avenues in meeting the challenges and to enhance management and leadership skills.
"I was really thrilled to be selected...the institute will only accommodate about 95 senior administrators from across the United States," said Clayton.
According to published information from the institute, competition for admission to the Harvard institute is very keen and participants are selected for their breadth of responsibility, varied professional experience, commitment to the field of higher education, and potential for continuing educational leadership.
When asked what were the major problems facing A&M-Kingsville, Clayton listed scarce resources tied to a tight state budget, declining enrollment during recent years which coincides with nearby A&M-Corpus Christi and A&M-Laredo having become four-year institutions, and new students who require remedial courses prior to college-level work.
The most important challenges she faces in her job are not having enough time to get everything done, often working 60 to 70 hours a week, and managing the complex and diverse programs within the Division of Student Affairs. Clayton says that the student-related legal issues are some of the most time consuming challenges of her job.
"Fortunately, the Texas A&M University System legal staff is nearby, and they are most helpful. My days are never dull, and I enjoy my work immensely; but it seems like I am constantly shifting gears...and almost managing by crisis," said Clayton.
Clayton supervises 32 professional and 26 support staff members in the administration of programs, services and activities for life services and wellness, career services, special programs, student activities, the student union building, College I, campus housing, mail service, intramural sports, and school relations.
-TAMUK-
-Mary Daniel