Influential Woman · Education
Norma Hinojos
Education and Training Director, Center for Economic Enterprise and Innovation
Austin, TX 78744
Her Story
About Norma
I have spent 30 years in the educational field, driven by my belief that each person should have the opportunity to get their degrees, no matter their backgrounds. I love to work especially with multicultural students because I believe everybody can succeed. The only thing that we need to succeed in life is educating ourselves. I grew up across the border in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, where I completed all my elementary, middle, and high school education, though I was born in the United States. When I came to university, I moved to El Paso and did all my college experience there while starting to work in the United States. After finishing my bachelor's degree, I got married and raised two women who are now pursuing medical careers and are about to enter their residency. While they were growing up and going to university, I decided to pursue my master's degree in leadership in education, followed immediately by my educational specialist degree, also in education. I previously served as a school principal where I was a mentor for my students. Currently, I am the Education and Training Director for CEEI, Center for Economic Enterprise and Innovation, where we support the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Central Texas. I work with grants and development, training nonprofit organizations on topics like grant writing, and I support young students and adults in finding career pathways across Central Texas communities including Luling, Lahart, Seguin, San Marcos, and Dripping Springs. I am currently pursuing my doctoral degree because I want to support my community as much as I can, and if I am educated, I can support my community better.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Norma
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would try to understand their needs and get to know more about the person and their interests. It is important to be empathetic with people because sometimes people need some kind of understanding. I would like to give the best advice, but sometimes it's not properly advice - it's to help them go into the pathway together, hands to hand. We have to set goals for monthly, six months, yearly, and four years. Setting the goals is going to be very important. But first, the most important is to understand what they are looking for and their needs. The financial aid process and registration into the university is easy to stop, but to guide them through the process and to give them encouragement is going to be better because sometimes we need someone to hold our hand.
02What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I believe that each person has to have the opportunity to get their degrees, no matter their backgrounds. I love to work especially with multicultural students, and I believe everybody can do that, not only people from rich families. Everybody can succeed. The only thing that we need to succeed in life is educating ourselves. At this time, I am pursuing my doctoral degree because of the same reason - I want to support my community as much as I can, and if I am educated, I can support my community better.
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