Celebrating 20 Years of Bowie State's First Doctoral Class

The College of Education celebrated the 20th anniversary of Bowie State University’s first doctoral cohort, recognizing the group that launched the university’s initial doctoral program and helped shape its growth in advanced graduate education. Organized by College of Education Dean Rhonda Jeter in partnership with members of the inaugural cohort, the gathering reflected the determination, collaboration and vision that brought the doctoral program to life.

Held in the Beacon Room of the Center for Natural Sciences, Mathematics & Nursing, the celebratory event highlighted the program’s history and the impact of the alumni and faculty who built its foundation. Remarks from cohort members Drs. Karen Crews, Marsha Mims-Word and Inger Swimpson reflected on the rigor of the early years and the support that carried them through.

Crews opened the program by expressing her pride in the occasion and her appreciation for returning to campus, while praising the faculty and staff who supported the cohort throughout their journey. 

“I have a lot of things that I would like to share about the amazing staff here at Bowie,” she went on to say, “they stuck with us every step of the way to help us get through and over to that graduation mark.” 

Mims-Word and Swimpson recalled the rigor of the early program and the mentorship that helped them persevere. Mims-Word remembered former dean Vernon Polite’s charge to graduate ready to lead and inspire. Swimpson echoed those sentiments and emphasized the courage required to advance through a program with no precedent, knowing their work would pave the way for future scholars.

President Aminta Breaux and Provost Guy-Alain Amoussou honored the cohort’s professional achievements, noting their leadership roles in school systems – such as Coppin State, Montgomery County Public Schools - and communities. Faculty members Dr. Beverly O’Bryant and Dr. Ann Hilliard also shared an oral history of the program’s creation under former dean Henry Raymond and the faculty who helped establish its structure.

Hilliard, a member of the first cohort, outlined how the program continues to evolve to prepare educational leaders for today’s urban, suburban and rural school environments.

“As educational leaders, we focus on strategic thinking, global perspectives, research, also creating equitable learning environments and effective financial management skills,” Hillard said. “We are looking to teach our grad students how to be a change agent in education with a focus in urban, suburban and now rural education,”  she emphasized.