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Director of Development & Alumni Engagement

@directorbowens

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The Archives of a Higher Ed. Professional 🤳🏽
♦️| ΚΑΨ
🤘🏽| Austin, Tx
🤝🏾| Philanthropist
🎓| @pvamu • @uflorida
🐏| @ht_rampac • @ht_missuncf

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✨ The Mighty Middle is where the unseen strength resides. ✨

Over the past four months, I have been stretched, held accountable, challenged, encouraged, and poured into in meaningful ways. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have been apart of the Founding Cohort of the Austin Young Chamber Middle Manager Accelerated Program. 🤩🙏🏽

This experience has reinforced that middle management is about far more than supervising others; it is about creating space for people to think, grow, and fail forward, communicating with clarity, listening with intention, reading the room and offering thoughtful solutions, and designing environments where others can thrive: all while keeping the mission moving forward! I am excited to integrate these tools and skills into my daily work & continue refining my craft.

This journey has given me deeper insight into who I am today and the servant leader I aspire to become. I am especially thankful to my direct supervisor for encouraging me to step outside of my comfort zone and into this new learning opportunity. I am also grateful to the @austinyoungchamber for investing in this initiative and pouring into the next generation of Austin’s leaders. (Shoutout to MEL) Lastly, to my fellow members of the founding cohort for showing up authentically, embracing vulnerability, and cultivating a safe space for us to grow together. 🫱🏾‍🫲🏼

Cheers to leaving places & spaces better than we found them 🥂

#PersonalDevelopment #AustinYoungChamber #MMAP #AustinTexas #LeadByExample taken in Austin, Texas by @directorbowens

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4 months ago

To My 2nd Queen, Mariyah.

There are some moments in this work that remind you why mentorship matters and watching you step into this crown is one of those moments.

Mariyah, I am beyond blessed and honored to call you my mentee. From the moment our paths crossed, I saw something special in you. I knew you were destined for greatness, even during the moments when you may not have been able to see it for yourself.

During your time on Bluebonnet Hill, I have watched you overcome obstacles, navigate difficult seasons, shed tears, find your strength, and continue to show up. I have watched you fight some of your hardest battles while still choosing to believe in yourself, your purpose, and the impact you could make.

And now, you have the opportunity to turn every one of those experiences into purpose.

Your journey has not been perfect and it was never supposed to be. But your testimony is powerful because you are still standing. You are still growing. You are still becoming. And now, you have the opportunity to HEAL OUT LOUD while reminding someone else that their circumstances do not have to define their future.

As you begin this new chapter of student leadership, never forget that someone is watching you and drawing courage from your story. Your resilience may be the very thing that gives another student the strength to keep going. Your vulnerability may give someone permission to seek healing. Your voice may become the encouragement someone desperately needed to hear.

So, my Queen, I pray that your reign is filled with purpose, joy, growth, unforgettable memories, and moments that remind you just how far you have come.

Lift as you climb. Lead with grace. Serve with humility. Love loudly. Heal honestly. And most importantly enjoy every moment. ♥️💛

With pride and love,
Your Advisor & Mentor taken in Huston-Tillotson University by @directorbowens

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12 days ago

To my first Huston-Tillotson Miss UNCF Queen,

Jaymee Epps, words truly cannot express how proud I am of you. When I accepted the opportunity to serve as the primary advisor, I knew I was stepping into a role that would require guidance, patience, encouragement, and leadership but I never imagined just how much you would teach me along the way. I have watched you grow, overcome obstacles, navigate difficult moments, shed tears, find your strength, and continue to show up even when it was not easy. Through every challenge, you reminded me that a queen is not defined by the crown she wears, but by the character, resilience, grace, and purpose she carries.

Serving as your advisor has been more than a title or responsibility; it has been a blessing and a privilege. I am grateful for every conversation, every laugh, every difficult moment, every lesson, and every opportunity to remind you of who you are when you sometimes forgot for yourself. Watching you represent Huston-Tillotson University, our students, and the HT Miss UNCF legacy has filled my heart with an indescribable sense of pride. You will always hold a special place in my heart because you were my first Queen, the one who helped me understand the true meaning of mentorship and reminded me that sometimes the greatest impact we make is simply being present for someone while they discover their own greatness.

As you turn the page to your next chapter and continue to lead on campus, I hope you never forget the woman you became on this journey. The crown may be passed, but your impact remains. Carry yourself with confidence, lead with compassion, pursue your dreams fearlessly, and never allow anyone or any circumstance to convince you that you are anything less than extraordinary. I will forever be proud to say that I had the honor of being your advisor. Jaymee, go forward knowing that your best chapters are still waiting to be written. 👑♥️💛

#HTRams #MissUNCF #MyFirstQueen #Legacy taken in Huston-Tillotson University by @directorbowens

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16 days ago

As we enter the new academic year, I want to pause and take a moment to recognize and thank our incredible Huston-Tillotson University (HT) alumni who showed up during Move-In Week and generously shared their time, talent, and RAM Pride with our incoming students.

Your presence and support helped make the transition to campus a memorable experience for our newest RAMS on Bluebonnet Hill. More importantly, you exemplified what it truly means to be an alum; showing up, giving back, and helping the next generation succeed.

Thank you for continuing to demonstrate what it means to be a proud graduate of the #1 HBCU in Texas and for welcoming our future alumni of the HT family with open arms.

From Orientation to Graduation, our scholars know they have an alumni family standing beside them every step of the way.

Pictured: Ja’Near Villines(‘04), April Briscoe, M.A.C. (‘06), Erica Knox (‘05)

#HustonTillotson #HTRams #RamPride #HTAlumni HBCUPride AlumniEngagement GivingBack TheHTExperience MoveInDay taken in Austin, Texas by @directorbowens

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20 days ago

The Huston-Tillotson International Alumni Association (HTIAA)–Austin Chapter established the University’s first alumni chapter endowment in June 2026.

Through the HTIAA–Austin Chapter: Finish Strong Scholarship, funds raised will directly support graduating seniors with a 2.5 GPA or higher who demonstrate unmet financial need, helping remove financial barriers and ensuring that our scholars have the resources they need to cross the finish line and earn their degrees.

Want to help build this legacy? If you are interested in contributing to the HTIAA–Austin Chapter Endowment, please message to receive the link to give and join us in investing in the success of our scholars and the future of Huston-Tillotson University. by @directorbowens

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a month ago

👑✨ THE CROWN AWAITS ✨👑

Huston-Tillotson University’s 2026-2027 Miss UNCF Crowning is almost here! Join us as we celebrate leadership, legacy, service, and the next queen to wear the crown. 👑

📣 Calling all current and former National, Local, and Huston-Tillotson Queens! Your presence is requested as we honor the queens who have paved the way and welcome a new reign.

Come celebrate the crown, the legacy, and the woman who will carry it forward. 👑✨

#missuncf #uncf #rampac #hustontillotsonuniversity #pactothefuture taken in Huston-Tillotson University by @directorbowens

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a month ago

Let’s rally behind Miss Mariyah Newman, Huston-Tillotson University’s candidate for Miss UNCF 2026–2027, as she works toward her $15,000 fundraising goal!

Mariyah is determined to become the FIRST National Miss UNCF from Huston-Tillotson University!

🎯 Goal: $15,000
📅 Giving Deadline: September 4, 2026
👑 Crowning: September 9, 2026

Support Mariyah today by scanning QR code on the attached flyer. by @directorbowens

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2 months ago

Today, August 4, ASCA recognizes the 65th anniversary of Dixon v. Alabama and its lasting impact on due process in higher education. This decision frames the ongoing work of our association and its members reinforcing fairness and accountability in student conduct.

Honor this legacy by supporting the Dixon-McFadden Award through the Raymond H. Goldstone ASCA
Foundation. This award seeks to recognize an individual who has been a trailblazer on campus as it relates to student conduct; an individual who has enhanced the lives of students by going above and beyond.

Donate today: https://Inkd.in/e8-bsEg2

#ASCA #DixonDay #DueProcess by @directorbowens

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2 months ago

Calling all fRAMily! Alumni, ex-students, family, friends, community partners... The time has arrived to renew your membership for the 2026-2027 fiscal year!

You did NOT have to attend and/or graduate from Huston-Tillotson to be part of the Association. It is fRAMily which, encompasses the Love for HT!

$60 (Huston-Tillotson University International Alumni Association and HTIAA Austin Chapter)

FREE for 2026 graduates

You may pay your dues through either of the following methods:

1. HTIAA Website - www.htaustinalumni.com
2. Zeffy
(Donation optional. You may change donation to $0)
3. Mail
HTIAA-Austin Chapter
P.O. Box 140092
Austin, TX 78714

More questions... Email htaustinalumni@gmail.com by @directorbowens

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4 months ago

“What will still be standing because of us?”

A powerful question from President Melva K. Wallace as keynote speaker at the Moody Foundation 2026 M-Pact Convening in Galveston, Texas. A call to build with purpose, lead with vision, and leave a legacy that lasts.

#HT #IMPACT
#MoodyFoundation #galveston #moodygardens taken in Galveston, Texas by @directorbowens

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4 months ago

I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve in a role that allows me to engage directly with our scholars.

As the academic year comes to a close and finals approach, I am reminded of the importance of prioritizing student mental health and well-being. For many students, summer can bring challenges that are often unseen, including uncertainty about where they will go or who they can depend on during the break.

That is why I am honored to serve as a Campus Advocate through the Crisis Text Line Campus Advocate program. This role allows me to help promote mental health awareness on our HBCU campus and connect students with 24/7, free, confidential support by texting HOME or CAMPUS to 741741.

To every student, please know this: you are not alone, and support is available. We are here for you. 🫂🫵🏽

#HBCUsMatter #MentalHealth #StudentCentered taken in Austin, Texas by @directorbowens

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6 months ago

The secret’s out! ❤️💛😭 Merch Co is headed to Huston–Tillotson University Homecoming as a vendor February 13–14!

We can’t wait to meet new faces and show up for all the Rams pride ❤️🐏
 Can’t make it to Homecoming? No worries — everything will be available for pre-order online and fulfilled once we return.

Take a peek at what’s live on the site 👀
https://www.merchco.store/hustontillotson by @directorbowens

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8 months ago