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Portrait of Columba Gaytan-Morales

Honor Society® member

Columba Gaytan-Morales

Assistant Dean for Academic Services & Programs at University Center of Lake County

  • Illinois State University
  • Higher Education
  • Class of 2017
  • Grayslake, Illinois

Member since February 2017

About

C. Myra Gaytan-Morales is the Assistant Dean for Academic Services & Programs at the University Center of Lake County, where she has also served as the Director of their Waukegan facility. She is responsible for tracking student enrollment/completion data, which necessitates working collaboratively with registrars at the 21 institutions that comprise the University Center. She manages and coordinates an annual educational needs assessment survey of the Lake County region. She also coordinates, manages, and raises funds for a variety of outreach and service programs, including a countywide FAFSA workshop series, Familias en Education Conference, and Taste of College.
She has been working in higher education since 2001. She started her career at the College of Lake County as a program coordinator and student recruitment specialist. Her primary role at the College of Lake County was to ensure that the students successfully transition to college and transfer to a four-year institution. She also serves as Advisor of the ENLACE Scholars, Club Advisory of the Lancerettes Dance Squad, and Co-Advisor of the Latino Club. She is experienced in working with first generation college students, faculty, parents, policy makers, and educational and community leaders.

Education

  • Depaul University

    political science (pre-law)

    1999 – 2001

Honors and awards

  • Innovative Initiative

    First Generation College Outreach Program

  • Pacessetter Award

    For personal achievement in demostrating the value of community college education

  • 2012 Education Leader Award

    In recognition of selfless and decication to students and higher education

Goals and interests

Career goal

Dean for Student Affairs

Graduate school interests

First Generation College Students

Outside the classroom

Reading, Gardening, and spending time with family and friends.

Experience

  • Assistant Dean for Academic Services & Programs

    University Center of Lake County

    Mar 2007 – Nov 2019

Volunteering

  • Board Member

    North Chicago Community Unit School District #187

    Mar 2017 – Mar 2020

Languages

  • Spanish Advanced

Additional information