Motlow State names new Dean of Students

Motlow State Dean of Students Yaritza Gotay (Photo Provided)

LYNCHBURG, Tenn. — She’s the first in her family to go to college with a passion for helping students succeed and break their own barriers. Motlow State Community College in Lynchburg recently named Murfreesboro resident Yaritza Gotay as their new Dean of Students. Gotay is a native of Juncos, Puerto Rico who started at Motlow on July 1.

“My purpose and passion are to help students succeed, and Motlow has opened a new opportunity for me to continue my work at a higher capacity,” said Gotay.

Prior to Motlow, Gotay served as Director of Student Support Services under TRIO federally-funded grants. The Federal TRIO Programs are Federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, such as low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities, to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post-baccalaureate programs.

Gotay credits her family support for her success and her desire to help others succeed.

“My family has been of great support to this new journey. I would like to thank my three teenagers, Elijah, Joshua, and Naomi, as well as my husband Omar Gotay,” she said. “Being the first in my family to go to college and break barriers, I feel an overwhelming commitment to the success of Motlow students in achieving their educational dreams.”

As a dean, it is Gotay’s job to oversee a variety of student-related programs that have an impact on the student’s college experience. She is responsible for managing student activities, leading student government engagement, supporting students through financial aid appeals, collaborating with other departments in an advocacy role on behalf of students, and enforcing the student code of conduct.

“Every campus at Motlow brings its unique flavor, and I have enjoyed visiting each of them. Motlow staff and faculty have been so welcoming and friendly at every campus.”

Motlow’s student affairs mission is to nurture the cultural, intellectual, and career opportunities of the students throughout the College’s eleven-county service area. For more information about Motlow State visit their website by clicking here. •

{The Lynchburg Times is an independently-owned, community newspaper located in Lynchburg, Tennessee the home of The Jack Daniel Distillery. We focus on public service, non-partisan, rural journalism. We cover the Metro Moore County government, local tourism, Moore County schools, high school sports, Motlow State Community College, as well as whiskey industry news and regional and state stories that affect our readers.}