About me
Dr. Sonja Wright-McMurray is the Assistant Director for Operations at the Arkansas Department of Education, Division of Career and Technical Education. In 2009, she began working for the Division of Career and Technical Education to implement and lead the Arkansas Career Coach Program. Since that time, Dr. Wright-McMurray has led teams in the division responsible for accountability, career and technical occupational programs, career technical student organizations, career readiness and work-based learning, and supports for Special Populations. Prior to working for the Division of Career and Technical Education, she was a Career Orientation teacher and held leadership roles at the University of Arkansas, Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, and the University of Central Arkansas. Dr. Wright-McMurray has served as a member of the National Center for Special Education Research, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education – Technical Working Group. In 2018, she was recognized by Jobs for America’s Graduates, as a recipient of the National Network Leadership award for her work collaborating with state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and business partners to support students from under-served populations. Dr. Wright-McMurray has worked with Advance CTE as a member of the CTE Kitchen Cabinet on Equity, co-chair for the Leaders of Color Affinity Group, and coach for the Postsecondary State CTE Leaders Fellowship Program. Dr. Wright-McMurray holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville, a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from Drake University, and a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership from Maryville University - St. Louis.
