Coordinator of Institutional Advancement 

Trenton Wright has served as the coordinator of institutional advancement at Middlesex since 2000. In this role, he works to benefit the college by obtaining grants and funds for a wide variety of academic, scholarship and social programs, as well as for campus improvement projects.

One of his largest efforts was the creation of the annual MxCC Foundation 5K Run & Walk in 2003. This annual event, now known as the Grad Dash, takes place in May.

Wright is dedicated to elevating the profession of fundraising. He earned his CFRE designation in 2005 and regularly mentors other professionals seeking this important certification. In 2012, he received the Barbara Marion Award for Outstanding Leadership from the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) for his work as scholarship chair and past vice president of the Connecticut AFP Chapter.

Additionally, Wright is active in local business organizations which represent many of Middlesex’s financial supporters. He has served on the boards of directors for the Connecticut Economic Development Association and the Northeast Economic Developers Association, and is a member of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce.

In 2007, Mr. Wright received the Connecticut Secretary of the State Public Service Award. In 1999, he earned the Deane C. Avery Award from The Day newspaper in New London for advancing the cause of Freedom of Information and Freedom of Speech in the State of Connecticut regarding Connecticut Meghan’s Law.

In 1994, Mr. Wright co-developed the award-winning economic development video, “Made for Industry: Northeastern Connecticut,” which received the Superior Award from the American Economic Development Council’s National Sales Literature and Promotional Materials competition. He also earned the Arthur Little Award for Economic Excellence in North America from the Sterling Development Office for work in development of the world’s largest tire-to-energy project. In 1992, his work on the Exeter Energy Project was designated as one of the top U.S. development deals by Site Selection magazine.

He has written on “Effective Community Involvement and Partnerships: Utilizing Partnerships and Advisory Boards in Brownfields” in The IEDC Economic Development Journal (Summer 2004), and on “Citizen Participation and Economic Development: New Tools for Lasting Impact” for the Northeast Journal of Economic Development (Autumn 2003).

Wright earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Connecticut and is one of only six Certified Economic Developers (CEcD) in Connecticut. He also serves on the board of directors for the Connecticut Economic Development Association, the largest statewide organization for economic development professionals.

A graduate of the Economic Development Institute of the University of Oklahoma, Wright earned a bachelor of arts degree from Eastern Connecticut State University and is a member of the ECSU Athletic Hall of Fame. He also is a member of the Fair Lawn, New Jersey, High School Sports Hall of Fame, and is the 1975 NAIA District 440 track champion. Wright achieved his Black Belt in Shaolin Kempo karate in 2010.