Robin E. Bowen, EdD President, Arkansas Tech University

The INSIGHT Into Diversity Giving Back Award honors college presidents and chancellors who go above and beyond their everyday duties to give back to their institutions and communities. President Bowen was nominated by colleagues and selected by INSIGHT Into Diversity as a 2016 Giving Back Award recipient for her dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion and encouraging community service both on her campus and in the surrounding community. 

Civic Involvement
Member of the WinRock Breakthrough Community Development Initiative and Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act Committee

Her Passion
Bowen has a passion for foster children; she and her husband were foster parents for 12 years.

Supporting Hispanics in Higher Education
Bowen encouraged efforts for Arkansas Tech University to reach out to the growing Hispanic population in the state; this effort has included distributing to local high schools bilingual posters and flyers providing students advice on how to prepare for college. Bowen has also worked with the Mexican Consulate of Little Rock, Ark., to obtain scholarship support for students of Mexican descent.

Emphasizing Diversity
Established the Office of Diversity and Inclusion within the Division of Student Services

Awards and Recognitions
First female president of a public, four-year university in Arkansas; named one of AY Magazine’s “Most Powerful Women”

Nomination Excerpt
“Under Bowen’s leadership, Arkansas Tech has implemented measures to be more intentional in its recruitment of underrepresented faculty, administrators, and staff. The anticipated outcome of these measures will be increased academic success for students from underrepresented populations. … Dr. Bowen continually demonstrates leadership in the area of social justice to all she interacts with in the community — in her professional role and in her personal life.”