seems like I'm at a standstill right now. No one in any of the mages guilds has any duties. I do recall duties for the skink but I have to be a wizard first. Any suggestions?

You might be lacking in some of your skills to get a promotion.

Skink has four quests for you that don't require any rank.

Check the http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Morrowind:Mages_Guild#Mages_Guild_Quests to make sure you haven't forgotten to visit any of the quest givers.

And as mentioned above, if you can't get any more promotions, you're favoured skills may be too low.
Wizards require Intelligence and Willpower to be at least 32. And one favoured skill at 60 and two at 20.