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Photo of Dr. Cindy Lawley
Dr. Cindy Lawley was selected for the Governor’s Executive Development Program, which is organized around four key areas: organizational strategy, infrastructure management, resource management and personal effectiveness. | Image: Texas A&M Engineering
Dr. Cindy Lawley was among the top executives in Texas state agencies and universities selected for the Governor’s Executive Development Program (GEDP). The intensive educational program — with three week-long sessions held October through December — is organized around four key areas: organizational strategy, infrastructure management, resource management and personal effectiveness.

“It was a privilege to represent Texas A&M Engineering at the GEDP and network with other leaders from across Texas,” said Lawley. “Throughout the program, I sharpened my leadership skills, engaged in evaluation and feedback sessions and developed strategies to implement that will help lead TEES into the future — especially within the context of applied research.”

Lawley first joined the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) in 2014 as the director of strategic initiatives. Today, she is the assistant vice chancellor for academic and outreach programs, as well as the associate agency director for workforce development and an assistant dean for engineering academies. She leads TEES Workforce Development in its mission to support the state’s workforce through education and training, which is accomplished with programs and initiatives for those in PK-12 settings through professional and continuing education opportunities for those already in the workforce.

“Dr. Lawley’s career at TEES began with an appointment to help chart the strategic direction of the agency,” said Dr. John E. Hurtado, interim vice chancellor for engineering, The Texas A&M University System, and interim director of TEES, in nominating Lawley for the program. “As someone who excels in casting a vision and then working toward it, she continues to lead her team with an eye on the always-growing, always-relevant strategic vision of the agency. At the forefront of every endeavor is her concern for the citizens of Texas and how the TEES workforce development team can better serve them throughout the entirety of their lives.”

Each year, the Governor of Texas sends requests for nominations to state agencies and universities. Upon receiving nominations, the GEDP selects participants, like Lawley, committed to dedicating the time and effort to enhancing their leadership capacity. As part of the program, Lawley used on-the-job issues and challenges to develop a leadership plan for applying the new ideas, concepts and behaviors explored during the GEDP. The GEDP held its charter class in 1985 — to date, there are more than 1,900 graduates of the program, representing more than 100 Texas state agencies.