2023 Alumni Promise Award Winner
Shambrekiá Nicole-Hurrington Wise, who earned a master’s degree in public health from UT’s College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences in 2010, serves as a people-centered Health Insurance Specialist, focusing on policy and compliance for the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. As the lead analyst for two state partners with over $40 billion in managed care program funding, Wise comfortably tailors communication for internal colleagues as well as external state partners and stakeholders. Wise is additionally the co-creator of the international travel series for children, Sightseeing with Sandy, which highlights core themes such as global diversity, inclusion, and history; the series was recognized among the top 10 books on Empowering African Americans. In their third year, Wise and her daughter Sandiya Badmus, are working on the series’ fifth installment.
Prior to attending UT, Wise received her bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in African American Studies and a research focus in organic chemistry from the University of Arkansas, where she graduated as an inaugural Silas Hunt Scholar and a Fulbright Scholarship recipient. Wise was also the first in her hometown to receive the Bill & Melinda Gates Scholarship, which supported both her undergraduate and graduate studies. She serves on the University of Arkansas Alumni National Board of Directors and, recently, the William J. Fulbright Examination Board. From 2010-2013, Wise served as the contracting officer representative and project officer for the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicaid and CHIP Services from 2010-2013, where she oversaw grants for efforts to identify and enroll children eligible for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Grants were awarded to 39 state agencies, community health centers, school-based organizations, and non-profit groups in 23 states.
Wise’s career is accompanied by numerous awards and accolades. She serves as an inaugural advisory committee member for the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. She has additionally received the HHS Regional Director’s Award of Excellence, the HHS Regional Director’s Leadership Award, the CMS Administrator’s Award, and the CMS Award of Excellence. She was named among the “Fabulous & Under 40” people doing great things for the community in Four States Living magazine.
In her spare time, Wise enjoys spending time with her family, reading, writing, volunteering, and traveling with her little girl. Wise currently resides in Chicago and is still with the federal government.
Shambrekiá Nicole-Hurrington Wise, who earned a master’s degree in public health from UT’s College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences in 2010, serves as a people-centered Health Insurance Specialist, focusing on policy and compliance for the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. As the lead analyst for two state partners with over $40 billion in managed care program funding, Wise comfortably tailors communication for internal colleagues as well as external state partners and stakeholders. Wise is additionally the co-creator of the international travel series for children, Sightseeing with Sandy, which highlights core themes such as global diversity, inclusion, and history; the series was recognized among the top 10 books on Empowering African Americans. In their third year, Wise and her daughter Sandiya Badmus, are working on the series’ fifth installment.
Prior to attending UT, Wise received her bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in African American Studies and a research focus in organic chemistry from the University of Arkansas, where she graduated as an inaugural Silas Hunt Scholar and a Fulbright Scholarship recipient. Wise was also the first in her hometown to receive the Bill & Melinda Gates Scholarship, which supported both her undergraduate and graduate studies. She serves on the University of Arkansas Alumni National Board of Directors and, recently, the William J. Fulbright Examination Board. From 2010-2013, Wise served as the contracting officer representative and project officer for the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicaid and CHIP Services from 2010-2013, where she oversaw grants for efforts to identify and enroll children eligible for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Grants were awarded to 39 state agencies, community health centers, school-based organizations, and non-profit groups in 23 states.
Wise’s career is accompanied by numerous awards and accolades. She serves as an inaugural advisory committee member for the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. She has additionally received the HHS Regional Director’s Award of Excellence, the HHS Regional Director’s Leadership Award, the CMS Administrator’s Award, and the CMS Award of Excellence. She was named among the “Fabulous & Under 40” people doing great things for the community in Four States Living magazine.
In her spare time, Wise enjoys spending time with her family, reading, writing, volunteering, and traveling with her little girl. Wise currently resides in Chicago and is still with the federal government.
