Terri Wright Named Executive Director of Sponsored Programs and Research

Winthrop University's Academic Affairs Division has selected Dr. Terri Wright as the executive director of the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research (SPAR) effective July 17.

The university conducted a national search for an executive director following the retirement of Teresa Justice, former SPAR director. Wright was chosen from a large pool of applicants, representing a variety of institutions and backgrounds. Winthrop officials cite Wright's exceptional interpersonal skills and varied professional work as benefits to the work of the SPAR office.

Wright comes to Winthrop after 15 years of teaching, contract management, higher education administration, program assessment and strategic planning. Most recently, she served as the executive director for the Center for Academic Excellence at Howard University, where she was part of a leadership team to win a $300,000 grant for student success support systems from the Lumina Foundation.

She has also co-authored and managed other federally funded programs, including the Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program at the University of Maryland College Park. In addition to authoring various state, local and institutional grant proposals, Wright has previously organized research conferences, led faculty and staff development initiatives, established institutional partnerships, and conducted grant review for the National Science Foundation (NSF).

She holds a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia, and a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of South Carolina.

"I am honored to serve as the executive director overseeing the next phase of funding for sponsored programs and research at Winthrop University. I look forward to collaborating with the dynamic faculty, staff and students while leveraging the great work that has already been done to move the needle forward in obtaining new grants and contracts at Winthrop," said Wright.

Provost Debra Boyd stated, "Dr. Wright's academic background and her varied work experience are well-suited for the future direction that sponsored program offices across the nation must take. She has been ˜inside' and ˜outside' the grant experience as a reviewer, a writer, a director, and a principal investigator and understands the challenges facing sponsored programs. I am confident that she will support and strengthen Winthrop's work with sponsored programs and research."

The SPAR office currently manages a diverse portfolio comprised of both internal and external grant awards along with all institutional compliance activities.

Wright's professional experience enables her to manage the daily operations of the office and effectively collaborate with faculty and staff as they prepare and manage intramural and extramural awards. Accordingly, Wright will spend some time gathering information from a variety of campus constituencies, which will lead to the development of a vision for the SPAR office that supports the overall mission of the university.