Dr. Pinar Gurkas Accepted into 2025-2026 Leadership Clayton Program

(October 23, 2025) - Clayton State University is proud to share that the Clayton Chamber of Commerce has accepted Dr. Pinar Gurkas into the 2025-2026 Leadership Clayton Program. Sponsored by the Clayton County Chamber of Commerce, the purpose of Leadership Clayton is to develop and cultivate annually emerging community leaders who dedicate themselves to the betterment of Clayton County and its citizens. Since 1972, each year, Leadership Clayton engages emerging and existing leaders in a ten-month program that broadens their knowledge of the issues, sharpens their leadership skills, and challenges them and others to seek solutions to the issues affecting our communities.

“We are excited about the 2025-2026 Leadership Clayton class and upcoming program year. We look forward to working with such a talented group of individuals as they continue to enhance their leadership skills,” said Valencia Williamson, President & CEO of Clayton County Chamber of Commerce.

The 2025-2026 Leadership Clayton Program that will begin on November 6, 2025 has 24 community leaders in the current cohort representing a variety of organizations and industries across nonprofit and business sectors in Clayton County.  Dr. Dwayne Hooks, the Dean of the College of Health and the Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, is among the most recent alumni of the program.

"I was drawn to this program not only because it offers training to enhance leadership skills, but more importantly, because it provides a platform to leverage those skills in service to the community." said Dr. Gurkas, Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology at Clayton State. She added that “During this program I will be working with other community leaders to address a specific community need exploring opportunities for sustainable and impactful collaborations  between the Clayton State Psychology Department and our community partners to enhance community wellbeing”