Bachelor of Arts - 1970 - Speech Pathology Audiology
Master of Science - 1975 - Speech Pathology Audiology
Former Wyoming State Senator Rae Lynn Job worked in the Sweetwater County school system for 34 years, first as a speech/language clinician and then as coordinator of the K-12 program for gifted and talented children. One of her gifted classes was in Farson, and Job made the 40 mile drive from Rock Springs in all kinds of Wyoming weather, usually alone, to teach and work with that small group of children. In 1996, Job was elected to the state senate and served on several committees during her 12-year tenure.
“The real reason I am dedicated to improving education is because of the difference it can make in one’s life,” says Job, “and because it is the keystone to maintaining our democracy. If one is not educated, that person cannot enjoy the promises of the Constitution—life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Also, if one is not educated, it makes it difficult to make decisions necessary to self-determination, which is the purpose of our democracy.” Her commitment to education carried into other positions for the school district, including professional development center director, the federal and state grants director, and director of the Office for Teaching and Learning. Currently, Job serves as vice president of the John P. Ellbogen Foundation Board, which supports quality education for all Wyoming students by supporting and rewarding high-quality teachers. Job believed that through these roles, she could achieve at least some results for students in the state and the United States.
“Getting an education from the College of Arts and Sciences helped me to cognitively understand complex issues, but the depth of passion I had for action came from the many universal themes expressed through literature and the fine and performing arts, which truly touch the soul,” comments Job. “The ability to understand the issues, find a solution, and have the commitment to implement the solution came together in large part because of my liberal arts education.”