LUBBOCK - Wayland Baptist University introduced Dr. Elyn Palmer as the new Executive Director and Dean of the Lubbock campus at a staff meeting Thursday afternoon. The move takes effect on July 1. Palmer is replacing Dr. David Bishop who will move into a new role with the university.
Palmer comes to Wayland from the University of the Southwest in Hobbs, N.M., where she served most recently as the Dean for the College of Education. She holds a Ph.D. in higher education from Texas Tech University, along with a Master of Science in Education and a bachelor's degree in English from USW.
A lifelong resident of southwest New Mexico, Palmer has served USW in a variety of roles, including Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, faculty member, assistant registrar/academic advisor, and director of public affairs. She also served Texas Tech as a part-time graduate instructor and data analyst consultant. Palmer has worked as a grant officer for the J.F. Maddox Foundation and as a professional mental health counselor.
Dr. Elane Seebo, Vice President of External Campuses, said she is excited to have Dr. Palmer join the Wayland administration and looks forward to her future with the university.
"She brings a wealth of experience in a variety of areas from academic advising, to faculty, to administration," Seebo said, explaining that one of her greatest immediate assets is her experience working at a university that moved from a traditional 16-week semester to 8-week sessions. Wayland-Lubbock is making that change beginning in the fall.
"Her experience serving as a faculty member and academic administrator at an institution that transitioned to 8-week sessions will be invaluable," Seebo said. "Dr. Palmer is joining Wayland at a time that offers both challenges and great opportunities. She is well equipped to address the challenges and fully prepared to take advantage of opportunities."
Palmer introduced herself to the staff, telling them she plans to be an open and honest administrator, a strong communicator, and that she is not going to come in and start changing things right away.
"I want to get to know this campus and its strengths and weaknesses," she said. "Then I'll see how my ideas fit into that."
Dr. Bishop, who has been with Wayland since 2007, is moving to the Plainview campus to take over as Vice President of External Campuses. Seebo, who currently holds the VP position, is transitioning to a new role and will oversee Wayland's accreditation status. Wayland is fully accredited with the Southern Associate of College and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Palmer and her husband, Kenny, who is a special projects supervisor for an oilfield company, have been married for 21 years and have a son attending Texas Tech.
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