Annie Cowden is beginning the academic year as the new president of TCU鈥檚 Graduate
Student Senate. Originally from Pasadena, California, she is working toward her Ph.D.
in Higher Education Leadership. She is also employed full-time at TCU as the director
of the BNSF Neeley Leadership Program.
Annie spoke with TCU News about her goals for the Senate in the busy year ahead.
What brought you to TCU?鈥�
I came to TCU first in a professional role and have now been at TCU for a combined
seven years. Before joining the Neeley School of Business, I worked in a corporate
role recruiting and facilitating leadership development. I chose TCU for my graduate
studies after seeing the high quality of the Ph.D. program and knowing it was time
to take the next step in my personal development.鈥�
How did you get involved with the Graduate Student Senate and why?
I got involved two years ago, serving as a senator for the College of Education, then
I stepped in last year as vice president of student engagement, and it helped me understand
the different needs of students. The former GSS president, Leslie Ekpe, and others
encouraged me to run for president. It was a compliment and honor to be elected.
What GSS accomplishments are you most proud of?鈥赌�
We鈥檝e been collectively building awareness around the needs of grad students. We鈥檙e
a small but growing population, and our needs are unique. I want to continue raising
awareness for grad students by having conversations and more engagement with the administration.
For example, I had the chance to serve as part of the search committee for the new
university president. Having graduate students involved in decision making is vital
to the health of our community.
What are your primary goals as president?
First, I want to continue to make headway with understanding who grad students are
and what they need so we can have a clear plan to provide them resources. This might
include sharing with students what the path to a faculty career looks like, how to
seek funding for conferences or advocating for graduate student needs. Second, I want
to support our GSS vice presidents and senators, helping them to set agendas and execute
on those goals. We鈥檙e an untapped resource, and I hope that with more exposure and
communication, we can make a difference for the university.
What do you think the biggest challenge will be and how do you plan to overcome it?
The biggest challenge is how siloed grad students are, mainly because of the nature
of our studies. We鈥檙e missing out on opportunities to research together and network.
If we can鈥檛 do that physically, we have technology via Zoom to build our necessary
collective mass 鈥� about 2,000 students 鈥� many of whom also work at TCU.
What are your goals after graduation?鈥赌�
I love my current role and always want to be in one that鈥檚 student-facing. Someday,
I could see myself in a role as a vice chancellor or president of a university, but
I am comfortable taking the necessary time to get there. When the next thing shows
up, I鈥檒l know it, and I鈥檒l hope to be in a place where it鈥檚 right.
What do you love most about being a Horned Frog?鈥赌�
I know it鈥檚 trite, but it鈥檚 really the people and the community we have here. TCU
is a very unique place where there is true collaboration. It鈥檚 a place where people
want to see you succeed.
More about Annie:鈥�
A favorite food:鈥疌丑别别蝉别&苍产蝉辫;
Favorite spot on campus: Wherever the tulips are!鈥�
Favorite hangout off campus:鈥�Maggie鈥檚 R&R on Rosedale
Favorite movie:鈥疕igh Society
On your playlist:鈥疐leetwood Mac, Taylor Swift, Grateful Dead, AC/DC 鈥� a real mix!
Last show you binge-watched:鈥痀ou; Inventing Anna; anything that鈥檚 true crime
贬辞产产颈别蝉:鈥�Gardening, DIY house projects, and sewing
A professor who has had a meaningful impact on you: Dr. Ashley Tull, my dissertation chair, who is a great teacher that really cares
about his students
Best TCU memory to date:鈥�The first time I worked with students at orientation. They gave me the confidence
to do my job and solidified that TCU is the place for me.