Annette Wright

Annette Wright believes in empowering students to make the most of their educational experiences to become leaders at UIC, in their communities and their chosen fields. Throughout her career she has sought to enrich the lives of students by serving as their advocate and supporter.

In 2010, she was hired as Assistant Dean of Students/Director of Student Veteran Affairs.  With this position she is required to wear many hats, student ombudsperson, veteran services and student advocate.  As Director of Student Veterans Affairs, she is responsible for creating a new program on UIC’s campus to assist student veterans as they transition from the military to campus life. A committed collaborator, she has forged partnerships with allies on campus and throughout the Chicago land community to enhance student veterans experience at UIC. Under her leadership, UIC has been the recipient of a Veteran Integration to Academic Leadership Grant through the Department of Veterans Affairs and was named a Military Friendly Institution in years 2013 and 2014. In November of 2014, the campus opened the Student Veteran Center as a location to engage student veterans and foster the veteran student community.

Within her role as Ombudsperson, Annette demonstrates the best of Student Affairs service by acting as a resource for students and/or parents that often have exhausted other avenues of support. She embodies integrity and excellence through her work ethic, passion for the students, and ability to go above and beyond to ensure students succeed.  In 2014, this commitment was recognized as she was awarded the Student Affairs Outstanding Staff Award.

As a student affairs professional for over 20 years, she has held several positions on UIC’s campus. Prior to joining the Office of the Dean Students, Annette was Associate Director of Campus Programs where her responsibilities included supervising student organizations and Chairing the Black History Month Committee for several years. At the African American Academic Network she held several positions including, Recruiter, Academic Advisor and Coordinator of Advising.

In addition to her other responsibilities she has served on the Chancellor’s Committee on the Status of Persons with Disabilities since 2013 and is the current co-chair of the Programming Committee.

Annette earned her master’s degree in education and a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Illinois at Chicago.  She is currently pursuing a second master’s in public administration.