Terri L. (Wright) Covington is a proud alumnus of the Pontiac (MI) School District, having attended Whittier Elementary, Jefferson Jr High, Washington Jr High, Lincoln Jr High, and Pontiac Central High School. During her matriculation, she was an avid participant in Track and Field, theatre, Student Government, Debate, and Dance.
Mrs. Covington received her Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice, with minors in Psychology and Sociology with an emphasis in Business Administration from Tennessee State University. She continued her education at the University of Detroit, earning a master's degree in education, specializing in Guidance and Counseling.
After graduating from TSU, Terri accepted a position with the City of Pontiac Police Department as a Patrol Officer, retiring in 2009.
During her tenure with the Pontiac Police Department, she was assigned to the Traffic Unit, Directed Patrol Unit, DARE Instructor, Liaison to the Pontiac School District, and Grants Writer, and was also promoted to the Detective Unit, assigned to Youth crimes and Sexual Offenses. Detective Covington garnered $1.6 million in grant funding for equipment, training, and community initiatives. She was appointed the first female liaison to the Pontiac Schools, currently known as School Resource Officer. Mrs. Covington designed the very first training for School Resource Officers throughout the PSD. In addition, she was a certified DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Officer, serving in five elementary schools. Mrs. Covington has continued relationships with her DARE students for over twenty years. Her passion for youth led her to take a position as lead tutor for the Pontiac Schools Early College program. She mentored and supported nearly fifty students in obtaining their high school diplomas and associate degrees during her five years in this position, and successfully obtained scholarships for six students at Marygrove College, where they received their bachelor's degrees in various academic areas. Terri was awarded several commendations, including but not limited to the coveted Community Service Award and Officer of the Year in 1998. Detective Covington received a Community Award for creating and designing a program called CURVE (Children Unloading Reactions to Violent Experiences)
Terri was an active student at TSU. She was elected as the first President of the Michigan Club on campus and continues to serve this organization as a mentor. Terri was awarded the "Who's Who Among Students in Colleges and Universities" (1980-81). She served on the TSU Student Government Association Nominating Committee and was a representative of the TSU TISL (Tennessee Intercollegiate Student Leader). She was selected as a Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity Sweetheart, Alpha Theta Chapter in 1979, and pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Alpha Chi chapter in 1980.
Terri remains an active TSU alumnus, having held elected positions locally and nationally. She continues to serve students and parents with advice and assistance with applications, financial aid, course scheduling, and residence issues. More recently, Terri was an honoree at the 2022 Detroit HBCU Scholarship Gala for her outstanding contributions to the Community and Innovative Leadership in promoting HBCUs. Alumnus Covington has served in several positions within the Detroit chapter and the TSUNAA organization. They are as follows: Detroit chapter Membership chair, Social Activities chair, Vice President, and President. She was the Chairperson of the Detroit chapter Community Service Awards Banquet in 2019. She is a life member of the TSUNAA and has been a Member of the President's Society.
She served as the TSUNAA Midwest Region Vice President. VP Covington chartered the Kansas City Area chapter in 2022. She was the TSUNAA liaison to the TSU Career Development Center, where she facilitated relationships between the CDC, DTE, and Thermo Fisher. These relationships have opened internship and employment opportunities for TSU students. Additionally, during her tenure as Regional Vice President, Terri initiated and convened a weekly Prayer Hour during the Covid-19 pandemic from 2020-21. Alumni Prayer leaders from all over the nation led these prayer sessions for all members of the TSUNAA.
Terri continued her education at the University of Detroit, graduating with a master's degree in education (Guidance and Counseling) in 1992.
Terri serves the Pontiac community by serving on the Pontiac Schools community Homecoming Steering committee and currently serves as the President of the Pontiac Alumni Foundation (PAF).
Mrs. Covington is married to her best friend and soulmate, Craig W. Covington, aka Coach and together, they have three sons, Craig, Mychal, and Anthony, and fourteen grandchildren. They have formed a union where they assist students in following their dreams of attending college and being a collegiate athlete. They have a blended family of three sons and fourteen grandchildren. OG and Coach, as they are affectionately called, are avid sports enthusiasts, especially basketball, and they love to travel. They are dedicated to the community of Pontiac and the students in the Pontiac School District.