SGA Presents Awards to Education Advocates Woody, Clements

UCM President Roger Best presents the Kirkpatrick Excellence in Governance Award to Mara Woody.

 

The Student Government Association (SGA) at the University of Central Missouri (UCM) presented annual awards to two women who strongly value the importance of higher education.

During an awards ceremony on April 24 in the James C. Kirkpatrick Library, SGA presented the Kirkpatrick Excellence in Governance Award to Mara Woody, Ph.D., and the Walter Hicklin Excellence in Service Award to Rae Clements. The award recipients were nominated and selected by SGA members.

The Kirkpatrick Excellence in Governance Award was established in 1985 in honor of James C. Kirkpatrick, a UCM alumnus who served for 20 years as Missouri’s Secretary of State and spent many years on the university’s governing board. Recognition is given annually to an individual who promotes the public interest, practices good governmental procedures and has shown loyalty to the university. 

For nearly two decades, Woody has been at the forefront of transforming higher education to better serve learners and the evolving workforce. She is the director of Strategic Partnerships at Riipen, a work-based learning platform helping educators, organizations and learners collaborate on real industry projects to bridge the gap between education and employment. In her role, Woody is shaping the future of experiential learning by building dynamic partnership programs and empowering learners with real-world opportunities that drive economic mobility.

Before joining Riipen, Woody served as assistant commissioner for Postsecondary Policy at the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. She spearheaded transformational initiatives that redefined how higher education serves the state, particularly for adult learners. She founded the Missouri Adult Learner Network, a pioneering coalition of higher education institutions, workforce agencies and community organizations committed to improving support for adult students. She also hosted Missouri’s first-ever Student Journey Mapping workshop, equipping institutions with tools to enhance the student experience through strategic innovation. 

Woody’s extensive background spans academic affairs, international credentialing, LEAN process improvement, and digital transformation in higher education administration. Her expertise in modernizing institutional processes and driving large-scale change has made her a sought-after thought leader in the field.

Woody earned an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy from Vanderbilt University, where she focused her research on adult learners and access to education. 

 

UCM President Roger Best presents the Walter Hicklin Excellence in Service Award to Rae Clements,
director of Academic Affairs Operations at UCM.

The Walter Hicklin Excellence in Service Award was established in 2022 to recognize an individual directly associated with the university community who supports student success, demonstrates positive leadership, and serves the institution and its mission. It honors Walter “Walt” Hicklin, the first recipient of the award and the 28th person to receive the Kirkpatrick Award. Hicklin, who passed away during the 2023-24 academic year, retired from UCM in 2006 after 31 years. His tenure included positions such as head coach of the Mules football team, teaching mathematics in the former Department of Academic Enrichment, service as assistant vice president for Student Affairs, and later interim vice president for Student Affairs. After retiring, he served on the UCM Board of Governors for several years.

Clements is the director of Academic Affairs Operations at UCM, where she has been a full-time staff member since 2014. Her connection to UCM began in 1999 when she enrolled as an undergraduate student.

A three-time graduate of UCM, Clements has a bachelor’s in Elementary Education, a master’s in Educational Technology and an Ed.S. in Human Services: Technology and Occupational Education with a focus on Student Affairs. She has graduate certificates in Academic Advising and Diversity Issues in Higher Education. Clements is also a U.S. Navy veteran.

Clements is the advisor for Prism, UCM’s LGBTQIA+ student organization, where she is affectionately known as “Mama Rae.” She also serves as president of the UCM Staff Council, chairs a university-wide committee and a Staff Council committee, and serves on several others. Additionally, she teaches general education courses as needed and works on grant-funded projects that support curriculum development and data analysis efforts that benefit educators across Missouri and beyond.