Donna Lang didn’t always know she wanted to work in Professional Leadership. But after she began to work in higher education, she knew she belonged in the field, leading her to the College of Education’s Higher Administration program. She now serves as the Vice President for Academic Operations at Texas A&M University in Galveston.

Lang was a first generation college student, and while she initially chose the College for its easy accessibility, she’s glad she wound up in a program with a diverse faculty and plentiful opportunities for students. Additionally, she credits the flexibility of the program, which allowed her to work and study simultaneously, with giving her an edge after graduation. “I believe that working and studying gave me a very pragmatic look at more theoretical concepts, and I am so thankful for the opportunities and people who created those paths for me.”

Currently, Lang is the Vice President for Academic Operations at Texas A&M University at Galveston, where she’s able to put her understanding of the ways finance, governance, and policy weave together to form a well-functioning education system. “I don’t think I would have the same understanding needed for this job without this degree,” says Lang. “It’s easy to get caught in the day to day campus operations and not keep an eye on the strategic vision. I use my theoretical background to direct and steer our programs.”

Lang’s colleague, Amber Booth, the Associate Director of Enrollment Services at Texas A&M Galveston, believes that Lang’s smart and deliberate approach to solving problems is a wonderful resource to the University’s faculty, staff, and students. “Dr. Lang is an amazing student advocate,” says Booth. “She works tirelessly toward student success and retention for our students, and the impacts of her efforts are hugely important for our student outcomes. We have students who would not have made it to graduation without Donna’s help and guidance.”

Thank you for all that you do, Dr. Lang! You make us cougar proud.