Dr. Manny Gonzalez serves as Director of State Government & Community Relations for Western Governors University (WGU), where he leads strategic partnerships and government relations across Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. His work focuses on expanding access to higher education and creating pathways to careers in education, healthcare, technology, and business.
Previously, Dr. Gonzalez served as Executive Director of the Community College Association of Texas Trustees and has held roles with The University of Texas at Austin, the Texas House of Representatives, and the White House Domestic Policy Council. He earned a bachelor's degree from Trinity University and both an M.Ed. and Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin, where his research focused on college access, student success, adult learners, and college affordability.
In addition to serving on the Friends of the Children–Austin Board of Directors, Dr. Gonzalez is Vice Chair of the Austin Community College Board of Trustees, co-chair of the Austin 2030 Education Network, and Past Chair of Leadership Austin. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Andrea, their three children, and their dog, Wrigley. He loves serving as a volunteer coach with 512 Outlaw Wrestling Club and searching for Austin's best hole-in-the-wall coffee and taco spots.