Wendy Clayton, M.Ed., PMP
Director, Instructional Design & e-Learning
I come from a small coal mining town in east Texas. Success in school was an expectation and it was assumed that we would go to college, but no one knew what that meant, logistically. After failing out in my sophomore year at UNT, I returned to school when my then-employer agreed to pay for classes at Kennesaw State. Changing my degree plan gave me the ability to apply for more jobs after college. My next employer also agreed to pay for my graduate degree at A&M which allowed me to follow my passion in instructional technologies.
Before college, did you know what you wanted to do?
Yes, but I changed that idea when I went back to school the second time.
Where did you go to college and how did you achieve that? What was the application
process like? Any challenges?
University of North Texas: My high school counselor and older brother helped me apply,
it was a pretty easy process at the time. Kennesaw State University (Georgia): Also
a fairly easy process in applying. The most difficult experience was getting my previous
college credits to transfer and find where they fit into a new academic plan. Texas
A&M University, College Station (Masters): Another easy process with the exception
of waiting on references.
What was your motivation during your college years?
During my time at UNT I didn't have much motivation which would ultimately end in
me leaving the school. When my employers were paying for the remainder of my classes,
I was motivated to show that their money and my time was worth it. I knew that I couldn't
afford school at the time, and if I wanted a degree, this was the only way I could
finish school. Without their financial assistance, any degree would have been difficult.
Being that I was already in the workforce, I could see how a degree would benefit
me and how others around me were receiving work and pay based on their degrees.
What did you do after graduating from college?
After my undergraduate degree, I continued to work for my employer and then moved
to a position at Texas A&M University, making use of my degree in Organizational Communication.
Once I completed my Masters degree in Instructional Technology, I became the Director
of Instructional Design at the University of Dallas.
What’s some advice you would give to your past self?
Do not become overwhelmed with the "4 year plan." Finish the next assignment, take
the next exam, reevaluate each semester. My college experience was successful when
I started making smaller goals. Working with my advisor, I made sure to check all
the boxes one at a time. When I started school, it was too much; thinking about the
next 4 years and what I was going to do with my degree after that, it was overwhelming.
You find success and motivation with each item you cross off the list, don't underestimate
that.
After having been a first-generation student, how does it affect you today?
Because I had to navigate the process on my own, I have confidence in my resourcefulness.
I am proud of my accomplishments and believe in myself when obstacles are placed in
my path. I have learned to break down a task into smaller pieces so that I can start
working through the process. I am also aware of the need for care and compassion when
students are in school, no matter their age or experience. Being a first-generation
student and graduate, I am motivated in my career to serve students.