Lydia L.

McDonald
Dr.LydiaMcD@gmail.com
(501) 339-4127

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Professional experience in public, private, undergraduate, graduate and professional higher education
Work experience as a full-time faculty member and as a full-time administrator
Curriculum development and teaching experience
Successful grant writer and grant manager
Skilled in creating collaborative relationships
Expertise in higher education assessment and accreditation

EDUCATION

Doctor of Education in Higher Education, University of Arkansas-Little Rock, 2011

Concentration in Student Affairs Administration
Dissertation: Student Affairs Practitioners Perceptions of Parental Involvement
Master of Arts in Counseling and Psychology in Education, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, 1996
Student Personnel Services Option, CACREP Accredited Program
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Speech Communication, Valdosta State College, Valdosta, GA, 1988
Minor in Public Relations

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Instructor, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Public Health, Little Rock, Arkansas
October 2008 October 2014
Contributed to teaching two graduate courses annually
Guest lecturer, Community Based Public Health Program Design & Evaluation II (doctoral course)
Guest lecturer, Professional Development Seminar (doctoral course)

Visiting Assistant Professor, Arkansas Tech University, College Student Personnel, Russellville, Arkansas
August 2005 July 2008
Taught full load (3 classes/semester) of graduate level courses in college student personnel, both in classroom
setting and online
Taught CSP 1013: Principles of Collegiate Success (freshman transition course), as needed
Served as academic advisor for 20 graduate students
Developed graduate level comprehensive exam questions and evaluated responses
Served on campus-wide strategic planning committee
Used Blackboard software to deliver online courses

Adjunct Faculty, University of Arkansas Community College Morrilton, Morrilton, Arkansas

Summer 2005
Taught General Psychology

Adjunct Faculty, Hendrix College, Conway, Arkansas

Fall 2003
Collaborated with other faculty to develop curriculum for a freshman transition course
Taught Explorations, a transition course required of all first-year students
Utilized Educator software to enhance instruction
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COURSES TAUGHT

Graduate
Culminating Experience Seminar, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
American College Student, Arkansas Tech University
Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education, Arkansas Tech University
Counseling with College Students, Arkansas Tech University
Ethical Leadership in Higher Education, Arkansas Tech University
Higher Education in Transition (History of Higher Education), Arkansas Tech University
Introduction to College Student Personnel, Arkansas Tech University
Practicum in College Student Personnel, Arkansas Tech University
Theory and Practice in College Student Personnel, Arkansas Tech University

Undergraduate
Principles of Collegiate Success, Arkansas Tech University
Introduction to Psychology, University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton
Explorations, Hendrix College
Resident Assistant class, University of Wyoming
Freshman Seminar, University of Virginias College at Wise

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Associate Dean, Student Affairs

December 2014 October 2015
Arkansas Colleges of Health Education
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Senior Student Affairs Officer
Assisted in developing materials submitted to accrediting body that enabled the proposed college of osteopathic
medicine to secure pre-accreditation status in August 2015
Ensured Title IV applications and supporting documents were ready for submission to allow the proposed college to
offer federal financial aid to future students
Created Student Handbook and related policies
Responsible for the following functional areas:
o Student Recruitment
o Admissions
o Financial Aid
o Student Counseling
o Student Orientation
o Registrar
Recruitment, hiring, training and supervision of 7 full-time staff
Developed policies to ensure the maintenance of academic records follow FERPA and all other applicable laws

Assistant Dean, Student Affairs

August 2011 October 2014
Director of Student Services
October 2008 August 2011
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Public Health,
Little Rock, Arkansas
Senior Student Affairs Officer
Member of Accreditation Self-Study Preparation Team (2012-2014)
Member of Strategic Planning Team
Student Information System Team Lead for Recruitment, Admissions and Campus Community module of
PeopleSoft Campus Solutions (2013 2014)
Collaborated with colleagues from the Graduate School, College of Health Professions and the Northwest Campus
 L. McDonald page 3 of 7

to develop the UAMS-wide Student Leadership Academy

Oversaw the following functional areas:
o Student Recruitment
o Admissions
o Student Orientation
o Registrar
o Public Health Practice
o Career and Professional Development
o Alumni Affairs and Scholarships
Recruitment, hiring, training and supervision of 5 full-time staff
Created reports needed for accrediting bodies, state and federal agencies, other UAMS entities and others as
requested
Academic Advisor for certificate-seeking, Master of Public Health, and non-degree graduate students
Ensured the maintenance of all academic records according to FERPA and all other applicable laws
Directed the coordination of the Student Handbook and Course Catalog
Faculty Advisor for Student Council
Represented the College of Public Health on university-wide committees

Contract Work, Arkansas Department of Higher Education, Little Rock, Arkansas

Summer 2008
Provided assistance to Department of Higher Education staff in determining comparability of Arkansas Higher
Education Coordinating Board approved academic programs across institutions
Developed a template to display and compare academic programs at the baccalaureate level and below across
institutions
Participated in existing program review committee meetings
Determined reasons for differences in duration and/or credit hour requirements of like programs across institutions
Prepared a final report of findings

Director of Housing and Residence Life, Hendrix College, Conway, Arkansas

May 2000 August 2004
Served as Chief Housing Officer for residence life program housing 900 students
Hired and provided supervision, training, development, and evaluation of full-time professional staff
Advised student groups
Acted on behalf of Vice President for Student Affairs for a variety of student affairs functions
Developed curriculum for six-week non-credit Resident Assistant class
Taught Resident Assistant class to all first-time Resident Assistants

Assistant Director of Housing and Residence Life, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, Arkansas,
July 1998 May 2000
Responsible for comprehensive management of residence life program housing 2100 students
Hired and provided supervision, training, development, and evaluation of full-time staff
Worked with Department of Undergraduate Studies in development of two residential colleges
Maintained collaboration between Housing and the Honors Program

Coordinator of Residence Life/Greek Life, University of Virginias College at Wise, Wise, Virginia
July 1996 July 1998
Programmatic and facilities management for residence life program housing 416 students
Responsible for recruitment, selection, training, supervision, and evaluation of student staff
Coordinated Greek Life activities for national and local fraternities and sororities
Developed curriculum and taught eight-week non-credit Resident Assistant class
Co-taught First-Year Seminar with a sophomore student proctor
 L. McDonald page 4 of 7

Graduate Assistant, Office of Residence Life/Judicial Affairs, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota
January 1996 May 1996
Co-taught for-credit psychology course developed for Resident Assistants
Member of search committees for Complex Director and Assistant Complex Director
Worked with University Judicial Coordinator on a daily basis
Assessed marketing needs for residence halls

Home Manager, Southeast South Dakota Activity Center, Vermillion, South Dakota
June 1994 - December 1994
Administration of a group home housing 9 adults with developmental disabilities
Responsible for selection, training, supervision, and evaluation of instructors
Assured compliance with state and federal health and safety regulations and accreditation standards

Individual Program Coordinator/Case Manager, ADVANCE, Brookings, South Dakota

October 1991 - June 1994
Coordinated interdisciplinary team process for 26 adults with developmental disabilities
Implemented and monitored Individual Habilitation Plans
Served as liaison between ADVANCE and families, advocates, professionals, and other agencies
Applied for and monitored benefit status for individuals on caseload

Community Living Facility Supervisor, ADVANCE, Brookings, South Dakota

December 1990 - October 1991
Administration of an apartment building housing 13 adults with developmental disabilities
Responsible for selection, training, supervision, and evaluation of instructors and training assistants
Assured compliance with accreditation standards
Restructured staffing patterns for instructors to enable them to utilize their work time more efficiently

Residence Hall Director, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming

January 1989 - May 1990
Administration of 400-bed co-ed residence hall
Responsible for recruitment, training, supervision, and evaluation of a Resident Assistant staff
Conducted administrative hearings for in-hall policy violations
Advised hall government

SERVICE

Institutional Service
Student Information System (SIS) Implementation Core Project Team (UAMS)
Recruitment, Admissions and Campus Community Team Lead for SIS Implementation (UAMS)
Developed University-wide Student Leadership Academy with colleagues from across the institution (UAMS)
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Search Committee (College of Public Health, UAMS)
Deans Executive Committee (College of Public Health, UAMS)
Re-Accreditation Self-Study Team (College of Public Health, UAMS)
Academic Student Support Services Task Force (UAMS)
Health Behavior and Health Education Faculty Search Committee (College of Public Health, UAMS)
Distance Education Coordinator Search Committee (College of Public Health, UAMS)
Academic Computing Advisory Committee (UAMS)
eLearning Faculty Advisory Committee (UAMS)
Classroom Technology Resource Committee (UAMS)
Academic Standards Committee (College of Public Health, UAMS)
Participated in Strategic Planning process (College of Public Health, UAMS)
Advisor for Student Council (College of Public Health, UAMS)
Assisted with the recruitment of graduate resident directors (Arkansas Tech University)
 L. McDonald page 5 of 7

Participated in Strategic Planning process (Arkansas Tech University)

Retention Task Force (Arkansas Tech University)
Co-Advisor for CSPA student organization (Arkansas Tech University)
Bridge to Excellence (freshman students) Mentor (Arkansas Tech University)
Enrollment Management Task Force (Hendrix College)
Co-Chair of Social Event Policy Task Force (Hendrix College)
Risk Management Committee (Hendrix College)
Summer Academic Reading Program Proctor (University of Central Arkansas)
Summer Orientation and Academic Registration Planning Committee (University of Central Arkansas)
Developed new Student Handbook format with Dean of Students (University of Central Arkansas)

Other Service
Reviewer, Burns B. Crookston Doctoral Research Award (ACPA), 2013
Member, Harding University - North Little Rock Professional Center Advisory Council, 2013 - current
Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH), Data Advisory Committee, 2011 - 2014
Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH), Student Services Council Co-Chair, 2010 - 2012
Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH), Student Services Workshop Planning Team, Fall 2009 - 2012
Program Reviewer, Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA), 2007, 2008, 2010 - 2015
Program Reviewer, Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE), Spring 2008
Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) research team investigating parent involvement and
its impact on college student development, longitudinal study

Presentations
VanderPutten, J., McDonald, L., & Lovelace, R. (2014, October). Youre Thinking About the Doctorate?: A
Discussion from Multiple Perspectives. Partners for Student Success Conference, Hot Springs, AR.
McDonald, L. (2013, October). Generation on a Tightrope. Graduate Student Teachers of Central Arkansas
Symposium, Little Rock, AR.
McDonald, L. (2013, August). Learning Styles, Learning Theories and What Does it All Mean with Todays
Students?. Teaching Scholars Workshop, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR.
McDonald, L. (2013, August). Tips for Graduate School Success. New Student Orientation, University of Arkansas
for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR.
McDonald, L. (2013, February). Careers in Student Affairs. Guest Lecture for Student Affairs Capstone Course,
University of Arkansas Little Rock, AR.
Morris, M., Bellamy, J.H. & McDonald, L. (2012, October). Todays Graduate and Professional Student Who are
they and How Can I Help Them Learn?. American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA.
McDonald, L., Gates, L., Stewart, K. & Ryan, K. (2012, October). Expanding our reach: Collaborating with
HBCUs to create BA/MPH and BS/MPH 4+1 programs. American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, San
Francisco, CA.
McDonald, L. (2012, May). What the Best College Teachers Do. Graduate Student Teachers of Central Arkansas
Symposium, Little Rock, AR.
McDonald, L. (2012, February). Todays Graduate/Professional Students: Who are they? How Can I Help them
Learn?. Health Research, Policy, and Health Promotion Conference, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences,
Little Rock, AR.
McDonald, L. (2011, December). Learning Styles, Learning Theoriesand What They Mean in the REAL World.
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Graduate Student Development Seminar, Little Rock, AR.
McDonald, L. (2011, September). Effective Teaching Techniques. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Graduate Student Development Seminar, Little Rock, AR.
Underwood, S.J., Thone, T. & McDonald, L. (2007, November). It Takes a Campus to Retain a Student. NASPA
IV-West Annual Meeting, Little Rock, AR.
McDonald, L. (2006, November). Strategies for Shaping Successful Relationships with Parents. Arkansas College
Personnel Association Annual Meeting, Little Rock, AR.
McDonald, L. (2006, April). MBTI and Career Choice. Arkansas Tech Residence Hall Program, Russellville, AR.
McDonald, L. (2003, October). FERPA: What is it, and How Does it Affect Me? Hendrix College Student Affairs
 L. McDonald page 6 of 7

Staff Development Presentation, Conway, AR.

Roden, S., & Stone, J., McDonald, L. (2000, February). UCAs Residential Colleges. First Year Experience
Conference West, San Francisco, CA.
McDonald, L. (2000, February). Expanding Our Mission through Collaborative Efforts. Southwest Association of
College and University Housing Officers, Dallas, TX.
McDonald, L. & Pitts, M. (1997, February). Armed Gunman Holds 3 Hostage...Film at Eleven, How Campus Crime
Affects You and Your Institution. Virginia State Resident Assistant Conference, Harrisonburg, VA.
McDonald, L. & Pitts, M. (1997, January). Campus Crime...Are You Prepared? Virginia Association of College and
University Housing Officers. Charlottesville, VA.

Grants
2012, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students (scholarships),
Principal Investigator. Not funded.
2012, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Traineeship program (scholarships), Principal Investigator,
$13,410.00. Funded.
2011, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Traineeship program (scholarships), Project Coordinator,
$9,718.00. Funded.
2010, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Traineeship program (scholarships), Project Coordinator,
$9,718. Funded.
2010, Center for Disease Control/Association of Public Health Laboratories/Association of Schools of Public
Health; Career Pathways Train the Trainers program, Project Coordinator, $29,950. Funded.
2009, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Traineeship program (scholarships), Project Coordinator,
$9,718. Funded. (Note: first grant monies received for student scholarships in the history of the College of Public
Health).
2009, Center for Disease Control/Association of Public Health Laboratories/Association of Schools of Public
Health; Career Pathways Public Health Investigators: Arkansas program, Project Coordinator, $29,875. Funded.
(Note: first grant received by the Office of Student Services in the history of the College of Public Health).
2006, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Foundation, $11,570 grant for
longitudinal study on the impact of parental involvement on student development. McDonald is one of several co-
Principal Investigators. Funded.
2002, Arkansas Collegiate Drug Education Committee, Principal Investigator, $500 grant for prevention
programming. Funded.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA)

Arkansas College Personnel Association (ArCPA)
Southern Association for College Student Affairs (SACSA)

SELECTED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Conferences
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), 2015
Partners for Student Success, 2014
PeopleSoft Higher Education Users Group (HEUG), 2013
Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) National Conference, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015
Association of Schools of Public Health National Conference, 2008 - 2013
NASPA Region IV-West Fall Conference, November 2007
Association of Student Judicial Affairs National Conference, 2001 - 2004

Classes and Workshops

Fundamentals of Federal Student Aid Administration, U.S. Department of Education, Dallas, TX, May 2015
The State of Inter-Professional Education, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, May 2013
 L. McDonald page 7 of 7

Building Assessment Capacity in Student Affairs, StudentAffairs.com Webinar, November 2012

University of Arkansas System: Distance Learning Symposium, University of Arkansas Little Rock, April, 2012
Jossey-Bass Online Teaching & Learning Conference, October 18 20, 2011
What is Social Networking, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, November, 2010
Teaching with Technology Symposium, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, July 2010, July 2011
FERPA: Latest Updates and Staff Training, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, October, 2009
Using Podcasting in Class, Arkansas Tech University, September 2006
Web Surveyor, Arkansas Tech University, September 2006
What the Best Professors Do, Arkansas Tech University, Spring 2006
New Standards for New Students, Arkansas Tech University, February 2006
Higher Education Research Institutes Cooperative Institutional Research Program Summer Workshop, University
of California, Los Angeles, July 2004
Parent Involvement: Programs, Practices & Trends, PaperClip Communications, June 2004
Donald D. Gehring Campus Judicial Affairs Training Institute, Association of Student Judicial Affairs, June 2001