Grambling State University has hired Clarence Lavon Hayes as director of admissions and recruitment. The appointment was effective April 1.
Hayes is an accomplished professional with over 16 years of education experience at Jackson State University, Hinds Community College, Coahoma Community College and the Clarksdale Municipal School District. He earned a bachelor’s in public administration from Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena. At Jackson State, he earned a master’s in guidance and counseling and a doctorate in urban higher education at JSU’s executive Ph.D. program.
A 1993 graduate of West Tallahatchie High School in Webb, Miss., Hayes has been the graduation coach at Clarksdale High School in Clarksdale, Miss., monitoring student progress and helping school staff to incorporate ACT standards into the curriculum. As a consultant he has been part of a team of professionals developing and implementing admissions strategies for JSU. The capital city four-year institution has about 9,000 students. GSU has about 5,000.
“Dr. Hayes is a welcomed addition to the division of enrollment management,” said Gloria George, interim associate vice president for enrollment management. “His skills, knowledge and experience will enhance the delivery of services to our students, faculty, staff, alumni and the university community.”
Hayes said he is excited to join GSU and he is looking forward to working with the admissions and recruitment staff in Grambling Hall. To recruit and help students through the admissions process is an intriguing part of the job. You find out the students’ interests and get the parents excited about getting them off to college, said Hayes, a native of Webb, Miss., and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.