ENMU Graduate Using ENMU Professors as Role Models in Pursuing Her Dream of Being a Professor

Date: 11/3/2003
Contact: Wendel Sloan at 505.562.2253
Reporter: Tracy Henderson

Margaret (Terzin) Klayton-MI is giving back her experience of Eastern New Mexico University's caring professors to her students at Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Va. Dr. Klayton-MI was promoted to full professor of business administration last year. Her impact and success started even before her promotion.

A 1980 ENMU BBA and 1981 MBA graduate, Margaret felt she was destined to go into personnel administration. However, due to the influence of the dean of the College of Business, Charles Irvin, who showed his students how much he cared about their success, Margaret decided to pursue a career in higher education. "Dr. Irvin was always concerned about our progress and was an excellent role model," said Margaret.

She received a Ph.D. in human resource management from Virginia Commonwealth University to pursue her new dream of become a great professor. As a professor of business, she began to demonstrate the qualities she learned at Eastern, which included putting the students first. The Governor of Virginia appointed Dr. Klayton-MI to his Task Force on Telecommuting and Telework where she designed the telecommuting interest survey for the Commonwealth of Virginia, which is available through America-On-Line in Virginia-On-Line. Telecommuting allows students to take courses without coming to campus (often known as distance education).

Dr. Klayton-MI was the originator and first editor of TeleTrends , a telecommuting newsletter. She currently serves as a vice president of the International Telework Association and Council. She was one of two invited to present at the Telematics and Innovation Conference in Spain. She also presented lectures in China at Jaio Tong University in Shanghai.

Margaret's Eastern experience prepared for her future in various ways. "The professors at Eastern were highly qualified and gave a good, sound education."

During her time at ENMU, a graduate assistantship gave her the financial backing that she needed, and also gave her the opportunity to teach college-level courses. She served as president of Returning Students, an organization designed for non-traditional students making the transition to school a little easier. She also served as president of the Marketing Association.

Margaret said, "There are a lot of opportunities for leadership at Eastern, which I took full advantage of and which made me the person I am today."

Margaret Klayton-MI