Dr. Robin E. Bowen

ARKANSAS TECH 2022 FOOTBALL

Dr. robin E. bowEn, prEsiDEnT

Dr. Robin E. Bowen was unanimously elected the 12th president of Arkansas Tech University by the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees on April 22, 2014. She took office on July 1, 2014.

The institution has developed and enacted two strategic plans (2016-2022 and 2022-25), a new campus master plan and new mission and vision statements under Dr. Bowen’s leadership. Arkansas Tech has achieved significant gains in its four-year graduation rate for firsttime freshmen on the ATU campus in Russellville and the three-year graduation rate at ATU-Ozark Campus during the Bowen presidency.

During the 2020-21 academic year, Arkansas Tech achieved reaffirmation of its institutional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission for an additional 10-year period.

ATU has earned national acclaim from the CollegeNET Social Mobility Index as a leading institution in providing students with access to an enhanced economic position following graduation. Arkansas Tech ranked No. 1 in Arkansas on the Social Mobility Index seven consecutive years through 2020. In addition, ATU was named to the Colleges of Distinction Best Colleges cohort for 2021-22 and 2022-23 and U.S. News and World Report selected ATU is the No. 1 public, regional university in Arkansas as part of its 2022 college rankings.

Private support for Arkansas Tech has steadily increased during Dr. Bowen’s tenure as president. Donors provided more than $12.5 million in new gifts and pledges to the ATU Foundation during the 2021-22 fiscal year.

Dr. Bowen is the first female president of a public, fouryear university in Arkansas. She has been identified by the Arkansas Business Publishing Group as one of the Arkansas 250, an annual list of the state’s top influencers and newsmakers. The National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Region IV-West presented Dr. Bowen with its 2020 President's Award, a special recognition reserved for a college or university president who has, over a sustained period of time, advanced the quality of student life on campus.

She has previously been recognized as one of AY Magazine’s Most Powerful Women, and she received the Arkansas Traveler certificate from the State of Arkansas.

Dr. Bowen is a board member for the International Women’s Forum, the Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Arkansas River Valley Alliance for Economic Development and the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce.

As is obvious from her volunteer work, Dr. Bowen is passionate about advancing education, at all levels, and enhancing economic development in Arkansas. She received her Doctor of Education degree with an emphasis in higher education administration from Texas Tech University. She also holds a Master of Education degree in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Arkansas and a Bachelor of Science degree in occupational therapy from the University of Kansas.

Dr. Bowen and her husband, Doug, are parents of son, Brock; and daughters, Alexa and Brynn.

In 2017, the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville College of Education and Health Professions presented her with an outstanding alumni award in recognition of her achievements in and contributions to higher education.

She was selected as a 2016 recipient of the INSIGHT into Diversity Presidents and Chancellors Giving Back Award, the only national award that honors college presidents and chancellors for their commitment to diversity by giving back to their campus and community.

Dr. Bowen earned the 2016 League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Council 750 President’s Award in recognition of the diversity and inclusion initiatives Arkansas Tech has established during her administration.