Greater McAllen Area
Ms. Gonzales began her career as an Environmental Program Coordinator for Keep McAllen Beautiful after earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Journalism from the University of Texas, Pan American (UTPA) in 1998. Alongside her professional journey, she also worked as a freelance writer, honing her communication skills. In 2000, she joined the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council, where she collaborated with the Department of Energy (DOE) to promote alternative fuels and develop a strategic Program Plan for the DOE’s Clean Cities initiative. Following the gas crisis, Ms. Gonzales transitioned to public education, teaching and contributing to UTPA’s GEAR UP program while obtaining her Graduate Degree in English. Later, she returned to environmental programs as the Environmental Education Coordinator for the City of Pharr, where she established the city’s Recycling and Environmental Education Department and further developed her grant writing skills. However, challenges in recycling initiatives due to China’s import restrictions prompted a career shift. In 2016, she began working as a novice grant writer at South Texas College, where she flourished under experienced leadership, helping to secure approximately $1.9 million in grant funding. In 2023, Ms. Gonzales expanded her career and joined Texas State Technical College as a Senior Development Lead. She remains dedicated to environmental advocacy as an active board member of the Solid Waste Advisory Council under the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council. Additionally, she serves as a Peer Consultant for federal agencies and continues to engage in freelance writing, promoting minimalism and a healthy lifestyle.
Responsible for a full range of grant development (grant writing) activities including high-level grant development, writing, and budget development including state, federal, local, and foundations. Very successful in obtaining over 2 million dollars in grant funding. Other duties include conducting annual grant writing training, designing and developing grant proposals, designing the department newsletter and annual grant report, creating brochures, flyers, PowerPoint presentations, Flow Maps, website updates, and conducting data-specific research and reports for the workforce data and related research for grants. Other duties included maintaining grant records, logs, developing Prospectus, and Grant Guidance document forms, and developing surveys for Grant Advisory Group, including tracking and reporting. Also served as a Grant Peer Reviewer for an internal college grant and taught English, as needed (Adjunct Lecturer) for the Developmental English, Reading and Writing Department.
Instrumental in designing, developing, and managing the city’s recycling center and Environmental Education Program including management of state-regulated permits for solid waste and Storm Water. Developed, managed, and wrote grants to support programs and executed educational programs for schools, community groups, and special environmental interests; promoted educational programs and resources through leaflets, newsletters, websites, and social media listings. Planned regular community presentations and public (promotion and outreach) events for educators and similar community groups; also conducted regular public presentations to raise awareness of environmental issues. Managed the city’s Texas Discharge Pollution Elimination System permit for stormwater and related infrastructures working with Engineering Division for updating maps (with GIS) and cities’ annexed areas. Successfully managed and developed grants for the development of the city’s environmental education program.
During graduate studies, worked as an Academic Advisor and teacher promoting post-secondary education for a federally funded program, GEAR UP, (College, Education, and Readiness Program for high school students), and was also a Teaching and Research Assistant for the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley. Helped prepare programs for program advisement and implementation to 3 local high schools, updated the department web page, and created a regular newsletter and related public service announcements