Current UTA President Dr. Jennifer Cowley has a long and successful list of qualifications that make her a true asset to the Arlington community and the University of Texas at Arlington. While serving the Arlington area for only a couple of years, she has dedicated many years of her life to public service through education and urban development, some of which being in the North Texas area.
Dr. Cowley is an Arlington native who graduated from AISD before pursuing her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate at Texas A&M University. She has also earned two masters from the University of North Texas.
Before becoming President of UTA, she was the vice president for academic affairs at the University of North Texas, and prior to that she spent 16 years with Ohio State University, with titles such as Vice Provost for Capital Planning and Regional Campuses, Associate Dean of the College of Engineering, as well as the Head of City and Regional Planning.
After a long search, Dr. Cowley became President of UTA in April 2022. She is the first female President of the University and tenth overall.
The Chamber was pleased to welcome Dr. Cowley back into the community as our Leader at our 2023 Legends & Leaders event alongside Legend Chris Cassidy in July of 2022. She spoke on her leadership in the community and her vision for Arlington’s future.
“My plan was to become City Manager or something in public service,” said Dr. Cowley. She has a true need to impact local communities. Throughout her career in higher education, Cowley has shown that community building is always her top priority. UTA is benefitting from her want to connect the University with not only Downtown Arlington but the entire city,
Her lifetime of serving and building communities is inspiring to all. Arlington is sure to benefit from Dr. Cowley’s impressive experience with creating relationships and collaborating for the greater good of the community!