New chair aided by past jobs

The new chair of the Graduate Studies in Education Department, Katy Herbold, is putting her background in leadership to work.

Herbold has only been teaching higher education since she came to SUU four years ago, she said.

"In Texas, I worked in a public school system and I was superintendent," she said.

She said she is fortunate that her colleagues supported her nomination to the position.

"The faculty in the Graduate Studies in Education Department are an awesome group," Herbold said. "I've really enjoyed working with them."

Despite her new position, Herbold still sees herself as a faculty member, she said.

"I'm still just one of the team, I'm just in more of a coordination role," Herbold said.

The Department of Graduate Studies in Education is for practicing educators in the region, she said.

"We help (educators) get additional licenses and endorsements for the things they want to do in their jobs," Herbold said.

In her new position, Herbold aims to better help the practicing educators, she said.

"(The Department of Graduate Studies in Education)'s goals are that we may continue to serve educators and also increase our offerings to better meet their needs," Herbold said.

Prent Klag, dean of the Beverley Taylor Sorenson College of Education & Human Development, said that Herbold's name made its way to the top of the pile.

Herbold has been showing true leadership since she has been with SUU, he said.

Klag said he has high expectations for what Herbold will do for the department.

"I think she is going to do a lot to help, working with not only the people here on campus, but all school districts," he said. "One of her first challenges will be to organize and to make sure that the program runs well."

Verlinda Angell, professor of Reading Education, said if Kevin Robinson - the chair before Herbold - were to leave then he had to be replaced by Herbold.

"It was a very natural fit," Angell said. "Since (Herbold) came here a few years ago, she has just exhibited the best of leadership qualities."

Herbold doesn't simply lead, she also inspires those around her, Angell said.

"(Herbold) not only provides leadership, but she empowers all the rest of us when she does that," she said. "It is a little bit electric, because she is so supporting and empowering of us all."

Angell said she has confidence that Herbold will do well in the new position.

"She has proven herself to be an effective leader in all school situations," Angell said. "She started out as a teacher's aide and ended up a superintendent and now she's at SUU. It's that potential to move forward in everything that she happens to be doing that set her apart."