ATHENS STATE
U N I V E R S I T Y
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Prepared for an alumni conversation with Athens State University
August 2026
PROFESSIONAL ALUMNI PORTFOLIO
Javier Morales, M.S.
Education • Nonprofit Leadership • Grant Development • Community Advocacy
Athens State University Alumnus • Class of 2008
Athens State 2016 Outstanding Recent Graduate Award Recipient
“If you plan for a year, plant wheat. If you plan for a decade, plant trees. If you are planning for a lifetime, educate people.”
Professional Profile
Javier Morales is a bilingual educator, grant professional, nonprofit leader, and community advocate with more than 20 years of experience serving families, individuals with disabilities, low-income communities, and migrant and seasonal farmworkers. His career bridges higher education, grant development and compliance, housing and workforce initiatives, bilingual family engagement, and nonprofit leadership. A 2008 graduate of Athens State University, Javier has consistently applied his education in Behavioral Sciences to create practical programs, secure resources, and strengthen opportunities for underserved communities.
Education
Texas A&M University–San Antonio
M.S., Bilingual Education, 2013
Athens State University
B.A.Sc., Behavioral Sciences, 2008; Minors: Sociology and Gender & Cultural Studies
Wallace State Community College
Associate Degree, Human Services
St. Phillips Community College
Master Teacher Certification
Dynamics Institute
Certified Workforce Development Professional (CWDP)
My Work Philosophy
Throughout my career in Alabama and Texas, I have been privileged to work alongside dedicated professionals who bring their best to every project and initiative. I believe successful teams are built by bringing together individuals whose strengths complement one another. My philosophy is simple: teamwork builds trust, and trust strengthens performance. When people share a common purpose, respect one another’s contributions, and work collaboratively, they can achieve meaningful and lasting results.
My experience has also taught me that strategic networking is essential to creating and sustaining success. Meaningful relationships connect organizations with the right people, resources, and opportunities. I believe in cultivating mutually beneficial partnerships that expand an organization’s reach and strengthen its ability to serve others. Effective networking creates lasting relationships that become catalysts for collaboration, growth, and positive community impact.
Career Highlights
Southeast Non-Profit Housing
Grants Analyst | 2024–2026
Supports grant research, proposal development, funding strategy, housing stability initiatives, workforce services, and organizational growth serving low-income families and farmworker communities.
Palo Alto College
English as a Second Language Instructor | 2014–2024
Provided adult English-language instruction and supported students in building communication, academic, and workforce readiness skills.
Northwest Vista College
Grant Writer / Grant Compliance Officer | 2011–2018
Developed government and foundation proposals and supported grant compliance, monitoring, reporting, and community-focused programs.
Los Padres Preguntan / Parents Ask
Founder & Volunteer Special-Education Advocate | 1997–Present
Leads a bilingual initiative providing education, advocacy information, workshops, publications, and resources for families of children with disabilities.
Spanish language Educational Radio Host
Javier Morales is an advocate program director, and former educational radio personality in Oneonta, Alabama, who served as the fi rst Hispanic radio DJ for educational development in the state on Oneonta’s local radio station WCRL (1570 AM / 95.3 FM). He spent 15 years living in Oneonta, during which he founded Project Aprende for at-risk Hispanic students and helped secure grants for local farmworker housing
Selected Impact
$1.2 Million USDA Grant – Casa Bonita Farmworker Apartments
Authored a successful USDA proposal that brought farmworker housing to Alabama, described in his Athens State alumni recognition as the first grant of its kind awarded in Alabama. Built in 2011, Casa Bonita is a ten-unit community in Oneonta, Alabama. Funded by USDA Rural Development, this community provides long-term leases to individuals and families who work in agriculture, retired from agriculture, or disabled from agriculture.
Community Program Development
· Established Project Aprende to help parents of at-risk Hispanic students prepare for their children’s transition from high school to college. Funded by United Way/Coca Cola
· Bilingual Family Advocacy: Advocates for families of children with disabilities through bilingual education, newspaper articles, workshops, publications, and community outreach for more than two decades.
Community Publications/Conferences/Website:
What Guides My Work
I believe every person is unique, shaped by their own story, identity, culture, and experiences. This belief has guided my commitment to education, advocacy, and community service throughout my career. I also embrace the timeless principle: “If you plan for a year, plant wheat. If you plan for a decade, plant trees. If you plan for a lifetime, educate people.”
Los Padres Preguntan / Parents Ask
Founder & Executive Director, Los Padres Preguntan / Parents Ask
lospadrespreguntan.org
Los Padres Preguntan / Parents Ask is a bilingual volunteer initiative founded by Javier Morales in 1997. Its purpose is to help English- and Spanish-speaking families of children with disabilities better understand services, navigate systems, advocate for their children, and connect with reliable community resources. Current work includes bilingual educational magazines, evidence-informed family resources, virtual workshops, outreach, and partnership development. The long-term vision is to build a national bilingual network that empowers, educates, and inspires families throughout the United States and Latin America.
Core Areas of Service
• Bilingual education and accessible information for families
• Early intervention and disability-related family resources
• Parent advocacy and navigation of education/community systems
• Virtual workshops, publications, and community outreach
• Partnership development with nonprofit and family-serving organizations
Vision
To become a leading bilingual resource that empowers, educates, and inspires families of children and adults with disabilities throughout the United States and Latin America.
Awards, Recognition & Looking Forward
2016 Outstanding Recent Graduate Award
Athens State University
Recognized for professional achievement and community impact, including disability employment work, Project Aprende, and the successful $1.2 million USDA farmworker housing grant.
2014 Outstanding Alumni – Health Division
Wallace State Community College
Recognized for professional achievement and service following completion of the Human Services program.
Looking Forward
My professional journey has been guided by a consistent goal: use education, partnerships, and resource development to expand opportunity for people and communities that are too often underserved. As an Athens State alumnus, I am grateful for the foundation the university provided and proud to carry that experience into my work in education, nonprofit service, grant development, housing, workforce development, and disability advocacy. I look forward to continuing to build partnerships that connect families and communities with information, opportunity, and lasting support.