Welcome Paul Valdez to the FORGE Family!
Paul Valdez, FORGE at UA Program Manager
Paul joins the FORGE team with 14 years of experience in higher education administration, specifically in the areas of experiential learning and community and civic engagement. Paul served as the Associate Director of the Bowling Green State University Center for Public Impact where he led faculty development for community-based learning, built and managed the nationally recognized BGSU Votes student initiative, and fostered campus community partnerships with local government, nonprofits, and businesses.
Paul was born in Tucson, but as a child of a military family lived in Wyoming, Florida, and Colorado before heading to Ohio for his undergraduate degree in Paleontology, graduating in 2004 from Bowling Green State University. After a shift in career focus, Paul earned a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Indiana University in 2007.
In his role as Program Manager Paul will cultivate entrepreneurial thinking and act as the primary liaison between FORGE and partner units at UA. He will be responsible for managing and implementing the delivery of high-quality entrepreneurial mindset programs such as Innovation Challenges, Startup Prep Mini-Courses, FORGE Ambassadors, Venture Pathway, and others. As a member of the FORGE Leadership Team, Paul will help map the strategic direction of FORGE through assessment, relationship development, and grant and philanthropic funding to support programs.
We couldn't be more thrilled to welcome Paul to our team! We know he will be a powerful asset in helping us deliver entrepreneurial programming to the community to help entrepreneurs thrive.