1. Nina B. Wright
512-757-0900
Skills and Abilities
Effective partnership-builder Established successful partnerships with sixteen private funders
for multiple higher education initiatives and researchers. Led many cross-divisional or
multidisciplinary teams in the development of successful grant proposals and Blue Ribbon
Schools applications. Brought together twenty-eight community agencies, ninety small
businesses, and hundreds of community volunteers in pursuit of a common vision. Have
established trusting relationships with state and national private funders.
Skillful communicator Described proposed projects in clear prose, supported by relevant
research and data, and supplemented with appealing graphics (produced with Adobe Illustrator)
for visual representations of complex data or programs. Developed curricula and delivered
educational trainings for a statewide student assistance program, developed well-received
newsletters and designed effective print campaign pieces and brochures.
Proficient grant writer Achieved a high“hit rate”on federal and private grants resulting in over
$28 million in awards for drug and alcohol prevention, K-12 public schools, and higher education
programs. Of this, $3 million has been achieved in the past twelve months. (Detailed list of grant
awards available.)
Higher education advocate Consistently maintained knowledge of statewide higher education
goals, status in meeting those goals, and effective strategies to advance the state’s progress in
meeting them, for the past ten years. Have a thorough understanding of the current plan,
60x30TX, its four goals, associated data, and strategies.
Responsible Known to work diligently to achieve funding goals, assiduously follow funder
guidelines, eagerly seek new partners who share an interest in raising the state’s level of
educational attainment, and continually stay abreast of new and relevant research to inform my
work and ensure that it is of the highest caliber.
Summary of Experience (detailed employment history available.)
Twenty-one years in grant writing and grants management
Seven years as Project Director/Principal Investigator (writing proposals and managing
awards) for federal grants at Texas State University
Over four years writing grants as College of Liberal Arts resource developer, TX State
Ten years leading Development at Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and
Executive Director, College for All Texans Foundation
Twelve years in program management
Three years as Executive Director, Hays Caldwell Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Eight years as director of Drug Free San Marcos
One year as Project Director at Workers’Assistance Program
Eighteen years in supervisory roles
Eight years supervising two staff at Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Eight years managing a staff of four to ten at Texas State University
Two years while Executive Director, Hays Caldwell Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Academic Credentials
Master of Education in Counseling and Guidance Texas State University
Bachelor of Science, Psychology Texas State University
www.linkedin.com/in/NinaBWright
“You gotta have a dream, if you don’t have
a dream, how you gonna make a dream
come true?”
~ Oscar Hammerstein II