‘Our state needs us to dream big’
Jennifer Cowley, the president-designate of The University of Texas at Arlington, said the University she soon will lead can forge a path as one of the nation’s most inclusive and impactful research universities.
Cowley, addressing community leaders, lawmakers, campus officials and representatives of the University of Texas System on April 13 at a welcome reception at College Park Center hosted by UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken, said she is inspired and energized by what she has learned about UTA since the announcement of her appointment earlier this year.
“It leads me to believe that The University of Texas at Arlington can achieve one huge overarching goal: Our state needs us to be one of the nation’s most inclusive and impactful research universities,” she said. “We owe it to ourselves and the state of Texas to reach for this goal. We are here to provide access to ordinary Texans and help them to lead extraordinary lives—leaving lasting impacts on our state.”
The UT System Board of Regents officially named Cowley, who grew up in Arlington, as the next president of UTA on Feb. 1. Her UTA tenure officially begins April 28, when she will become the University’s first female president and 10th overall. She will also serve as a professor of public affairs and planning in the College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs.
Before joining UTA, Cowley served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at the University of North Texas, where she led economic development partnerships, advanced diversity and inclusion initiatives, fostered student success, bolstered the research portfolio and helped increase enrollment.
She previously worked at The Ohio State University for 16 years, serving as the vice provost for capital planning and regional campuses, associate dean of the College of Engineering, head of city and regional planning, and a professor.
"She has tremendous preparation for this role. It is fitting that she will be taking the helm of one of the most dynamic and important institutions in Texas,” said Milliken during his introduction of Cowley at the welcome reception. “Her experiences at some of the country’s great public universities, her experience in championing diversity in university leadership, are all critical parts in her leadership of UTA. As UTA’s first woman president, she will set a powerful example.”
Cowley said she plans to bring a strategic focus in four key areas:
- People and Culture
- Student Success
- Research and Innovation
- Alumni and Community Engagement
“UTA has the assets needed for us to realize a bright future,” she said. “We have outstanding and committed faculty and staff. Our students come from every corner of the region and world and are growing and thriving here at UTA. We have a supportive state legislature that understands the importance of investing in building greater higher education for our region. And most importantly, we have a shared understanding that we must evolve and change to meet our full potential.”
Cowley thanked the Board of Regents, the chancellor and Interim President Teik C. Lim, the latter of whom, she said, “has been so supportive in making this a smooth transition and who has provided great leadership at UTA.”
More than most universities, UTA is positioned to combine research excellence with a commitment to making a college education affordable and accessible to thousands of students from Texas and beyond, Cowley said. As proof, she pointed to UTA’s recent achievement of Texas Tier One status, a milestone of academic and research excellence, and the launch of its Blaze Forward program, which will cover 100% of tuition and mandatory fees for eligible undergraduate students from families with adjusted gross incomes up to $85,000.
“Our state and our region need us to dream big,” Cowley said. “I know we will be united in our efforts to reach for excellence as we make UT Arlington one of the nation’s most inclusive and impactful research universities. I am proud to be your president and I look forward to all we will be able to accomplish together.”