O'Neill School at IUPUI
801 W. Michigan Street
BS 4063
Indianapolis, IN
46202
Biography
Tamra Wright joined the O’Neill School at IUPUI in 2016. She is a faculty member teaching courses in criminal justice, public affairs, and diversity.
Prior to coming to O’Neill, Tamra was the Vice President of Programs with the Simon Youth Foundation, a charity of Simon Property Group. In that role, she worked with diverse public school districts across the country to develop partnerships to establish Simon Youth Academies, schools located in Simon Malls designed to provide the flexibility and critical support necessary to help at-risk students graduate from high school.
Tamra has extensive experience working in K-12 and post-secondary student support programs through her work as Director of Turnaround Schools with the City of Indianapolis – Mayor’s Office of Education Innovation and in positions at several institutions of higher education across the Midwest. With an interest in social welfare policy and racial and income inequality, she continues to focus on the development and implementation of best practices to support those impacted by social exclusion and marginalization.
Education
- M.S., Criminal Justice, Southeast Missouri State University
- M.P.A., Policy Management, Georgia College and State University
- B.A., Speech Communication, University of Georgia
Professional Experience
- Vice President, Programs, Simon Youth Foundation, 2015–2016
- Director of Turnaround Schools, City of Indianapolis-Mayor’s Office of Education Innovation, 2012–2015
- Assistant Director and Advisor, Upward Bound and Student Support Services, IUPUI, 2010–2012
- Director, Student Support Services, Shawnee Community College, 2007–2010
- Coordinator of Student Success and Program Chair, Crowder College, 2004–2007
Highlights
- Next Generation 2.0 Leadership Program (2017–18 cohort)
- City of Indianapolis Mayor’s Office of Education, Mayor Gregory A. Ballard Acknowledgement of Service as Director of Turnaround Schools (2015)
- Emerging Leaders Institute (ELI), Educational Opportunity Association (2012)
- Outstanding Presenter, National TRIO Day, Southern Illinois University (2008)
- Outstanding Service, Crowder College Administrative Council (2005)