Lincoln University of Missouri Announces Paula Clay as New Director of Career Services

Paula Clay has been selected as Lincoln University of Missouri’s new director of career services.

Lincoln University of Missouri has announced the appointment of Paula Clay as the new director of career services. With an extensive background in higher education, employee development and strategic leadership, Clay brings a wealth of experience to the role.

Clay’s career spans over two decades, during which she has held several key positions in both the public and private sectors. Most recently, she served as the director of outreach at the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development, where she managed the department’s strategic outreach initiatives, including FAFSA Frenzy and Journey to College Day. In this role, she led a team responsible for increasing college access and success for Missouri students. 

Before her work with the Department of Higher Education, Clary was a senior employment development specialist at the Missouri Department of Transportation, where she identified and implemented training solutions to enhance employee performance. Her efforts earned her several awards, including the 2021 MoDOT Noteworthy Award and recognition as a top-four statewide winner in the 2018 MoDOT Innovation Challenge.

Clay previously served as the Lincoln University director of the Center for Academic Advising and the director of the First-Year Experience. In these roles, she was instrumental in improving academic advising programs, supporting freshman and transfer students and coordinating new student and parent orientation. 

Clay holds a Master of Education in guidance and counseling from Lincoln University and a Bachelor of Arts in history from Westminster College. Her commitment to professional development is evident through her certifications and memberships in organizations such as the National Academic Advising Association and the Association of Talent Development.

As director of career services, Clay will lead efforts to enhance career readiness and employment opportunities for Lincoln University students. Her extensive experience in employee development, combined with her deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing today’s workforce, positions her as an invaluable asset to the Lincoln University community.