Dr. Myra Gaytan-Morales

Member At Large

Born in Mexico, Dr. Gaytán-Morales immigrated to the United States with her family at age 14. Dr. C. Myra Gaytán-Morales is the Assistant Dean for Academic Services and Programs at the University Center of Lake County, where she has also served as the Director of their Waukegan facility. Dr. Gaytan-Morales is a passionate leader, innovative, friendly and respectful with exceptional personal and professional skills. She has more than 16 years of experience in higher education, recruitment, retention, program development, fundraising, legislative affairs, nonprofit organization, networking and community service.

Dr. Gaytán-Morales manages different community outreach projects and the student enrollment/completion database at the University Center of Lake County. Some of the outreach programs and services are a countywide Financial Aid Campaign-FAFSA completion workshop series, Familias en Education Conference and Taste of College.

Dr. Gaytán-Morales earned a BA in political science from DePaul University, an MA in higher education leadership from Northeastern Illinois University and a PhD in administration in higher education from Illinois State University. Her PhD research focused on the factors which contribute to college completion by Latino students who started their post-secondary education at a community college. Her dissertation is titled, “Pathways to a Brighter Future: Narratives of Latino Students’ Perceptions at Community College”.

Dr. Gaytán-Morales has served in different boards throughout Lake County. She has served as a Board President and Board Member of the Waukegan Public Library, Board Member of the Cristo Rey Saint Martin de Porres College Preparatory High School, Board Member of the National Association for Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) of Lake County. She currently serves as an Advisory Board Member of the College of Lake County Lake Shore Campus, Board Member of the Coalicion Latino Unidos of Lake County (CLULC), Board Vice President and Board Member of Illinois Council on Continuing Higher Education (ICCHE), Board of Education Independent Authority of the North Chicago Community Unity District 187 and Board Member of Our Lady of Humility’s Principal Advisory Council.

Dr. Gaytán-Morales and her husband, Nelson along with their daughter, Edith Paloma, reside in Beach Park, IL.