Melanie Johnson named Blinn College Foundation associate director

Native Texan brings almost two decades of fundraising experience

August 30, 2023

Melanie Johnson wants to help the vibrant Blinn College Foundation become even better.

Johnson has joined the Foundation as its associate director, bringing almost two decades of fundraising experience.

The Blinn Foundation is a tax-exempt organization that provides financial support for programs and activities that enhance the quality of education for Blinn students and expand educational opportunities. It oversees more than 300 endowed scholarships.

The Foundation also seeks to heighten community awareness of the mission and accomplishments of the College and to promote excellence in education.

Johnson is housed at Blinn’s Central Administrative Services Building in Bryan.

“The Foundation does amazing work with a very small staff,” she said. “I have over 17 years of fundraising experience, and I want to bring that experience to the Foundation and help it look at different ways of raising money.”

While the Foundation raises funds to support Blinn students districtwide, Johnson will focus primarily on Brazos County, where Blinn has a significant presence with its Bryan Campus and at Texas A&M-RELLIS.

“There’s a lot of potential with alumni,” she said. “I have been meeting with some of the Foundation board members and former board members living in Brazos County to get ideas on how we can better serve our alumni.”

Two of Blinn’s largest supporters are the Blinn College Alumni and Friends and Buccaneer Alumni Lettermen associations, which host the Foundation’s largest annual fundraiser, the Clay Shootout.

“Melanie has the experience and organizational skills that will help the Foundation in its mission to benefit Blinn College’s students and programs,” said Susan Myers, Executive Director of the Blinn Foundation. “We are delighted that she has joined the staff and look forward to her ideas.”

A Texas native who grew up in the Houston area, Johnson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Professions from Texas State University. She most recently served as foundation coordinator at Oregon Health and Science University’s Hillsboro Medical Center.

Endowed scholarships are available to incoming and returning students from a wide range of backgrounds, majors, and experiences. Students are considered based on high academic achievement, participation in student activities, and community involvement.

Johnson can be reached at [email protected] or by calling 979-209-7210.

Current high school and college students can apply for Blinn scholarships by completing the application at www.blinn.edu/scholarships. Prior to applying for scholarships, students must complete their application for admission to Blinn College at www.applytexas.org.