Heath Alexander has been a part of the TRIO community for the past 25 years, beginning with his participation as a TRIO Talent Search student in high school. Heath began his employment with TRIO as an undergraduate student tutor-counselor for Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math & Science at Grand Valley State University, where he went on to serve as the Coordinator, Teacher, and Associate Director
for eleven years in total. He served both the Michigan TRIO association as President in 2006 and the MAEOPP regional board as Legislation and Education Chair and graduate of the Emerging Leaders and CAS Training Institutes. For the last several years Mr. Alexander has worked at the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) in Washington D.C. as the Director of State Outreach Initiatives, Director of Public and Private Partnerships, Director of the Priority 4 Training with the U.S. Department of Education, Director of the National Student Leadership Congress, Staff Liaison to the Coalition on Human Needs, Steering Committee Member for Federal Student Aid Office Initiatives, and Faculty Member of COE’s grant proposal writing workshop team. He was also the lead COE staff person working on the first ever TRIO appeals process written into law in 2008 in the Higher Education Opportunity Act, where he analyzed proposals and corresponding readers’ comments for every TRIO competition dating back to Student Support Services in 2009. Heath was given the rare opportunity to read through hundreds of the U.S. Dept of Education's trained panel of readers' scores for every project competition. Heath has worked most recently as a national consultant for corporate, non-profit, K-12, and higher education grant training, initiatives, evaluation, and compliance assessment and as a highly touted speaker in the areas of grant writing, grassroots organizing, financial literacy, and student leadership. Heath is now the Head of Business Development for an early-stage, Silicon Valley based, education and financial technology company, Sixup, PBC. Heath holds a M.S. in Educational Leadership, B.S. in Biology and Chemistry, and Michigan Teachers certification, all from Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Heath currently resides and works from Washington D.C. Testimonials
"Heath was invaluable to me during my first TRIO grant writing experience. He has knowledge and understanding to give useful, constructive criticism. He sat down with me one-on-one to explain how each section of my grant fit together and tied to the objectives. It was this whole-picture overview that was vital to my comprehension of the grant and made me able to move forward in the process." April E. Belback, Program Director, Penn State Greater Allegheny Student Support Services, ACE
“If you are looking for a grant writer, who is a TRIO alum, is knowledgeable about the grant writing process, and possesses excellent proven grant funding track record then look no further – that person is none other than Heath Alexander. Over the years he has provided me with sound technical advice on grant writing for TRIO programs.”
Ngondi A. Kamaṱuka, Director, University of Kansas Center for Educational Opportunity Programs (TRIO/GEAR UP/EOP).
“Our institution lost both of our SSS and Talent Search grants in consecutive competitions, so I decided to seek the assistance of Heath Alexander to ensure our Upward Bound program didn’t see the same fate. As a result we received our first ever perfect score. Heath not only critiqued our grant but spent time with me and my staff to train us how to write the grant. He went above and beyond our expectations. William Tandy, Program Director, Wayne State University Upward Bound
"Heath Alexander brings with him all the knowledge and experience expected of someone representing the interests of TRIO program grants at the national level. Perhaps more important, is his practitioner’s point of view when assessing the intricate and essential components of a strong application. Heath helped our staff understand that the Need, Objectives and Plan of Operation sections, are foundational pieces which set the tone for a strong document throughout. He is a TRIO alumnus and former TRIO program administrator who knows what the readers are looking for in a strong application.”
Sergio Galvez, Senior Director, California Lutheran University TRIO Upward Bound Programs
“Finding a trusted advisor to secure the future of your program and services for your students is an important part of the grant writing process. Heath is a skilled grant evaluator with a great deal of experience both writing and evaluating grant proposals. It’s nice to have the support of a professional who understands the application and requirements for funding. Heath’s advice was spot on! He saved me points!”
V. Kaye Monk-Morgan, Director, Wichita State University Upward Bound Math & Science
