Tia Wright-Richards is a dynamic higher education and corporate finance executive with more than twenty (20) years of progressive leadership in institutional advancement, fundraising, and organizational transformation. She currently serves as Interim President and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Denmark Technical College, where she provides executive leadership while driving record fundraising, donor engagement, and alumni giving to ensure the institution’s financial sustainability and growth.
A seasoned advancement leader, Wright-Richards has secured millions of dollars in grants, philanthropic gifts, and corporate support, consistently expanding institutional visibility and strengthening donor pipelines. She has cultivated deep partnerships with alumni, industry, and community stakeholders, resulting in increased giving, new scholarship opportunities, and stronger enrollment pathways. Her fundraising acumen has been instrumental in positioning institutions for long-term viability and competitiveness.
Her success extends beyond fundraising into strategic initiatives that link advancement to student outcomes. She has led comprehensive campaigns that integrated donor priorities with workforce development, K–12 partnerships, and civic engagement, ensuring that philanthropic investments translated directly into enrollment growth and student success.
Wright-Richards also brings valuable experience as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Liaison, where she ensured compliance while aligning accreditation efforts with institutional advancement goals—underscoring her ability to connect resource development with quality enhancement and accountability.
Prior to higher education, she built a strong corporate foundation as a Senior Manager of Corporate Finance, where she directed operations with oversight of a $100 million budget and achieved $2 million in monthly revenue growth through Lean Six Sigma process improvements. These achievements highlight her ability to align fiscal stewardship with resource growth—an essential skill set for advancement leadership.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Southern Wesleyan University and a Master of Arts in Business Management and Leadership from Webster University. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership at Columbia International University (anticipated May 2026) and is Six Sigma Green Belt certified.
Her leadership has been recognized with numerous awards, including Educator of the Year and Administrator of the Year from the South Carolina Technical Education Association. A sought-after speaker, she frequently presents at national and regional conferences on fundraising, donor engagement, and institutional transformation.
With a proven record of fundraising success, donor cultivation, and institutional advancement, Tia Wright-Richards exemplifies the qualities of a visionary leader who will position Talladega College for financial growth, academic excellence, and long-term sustainability.
