Wainwright received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Southwestern Louisiana, now University of Louisiana at Lafayette, in criminal justice.
He also has earned a masters of education from Northwestern State University and a doctorate of education from University of New Orleans.
He became the Dean of the Hammond, Louisiana Area Campus.
During this time he worked with the community of Hammond on their Chamber of Commerce.
[citation needed] Beginning in June 2023 Wainwright became the 15th president of Southeastern Louisiana University.