Blinn's Fowler and Masenda selected for 2024-25 Texas Success Center Leadership Academy

Prestigious one-year leadership development program focuses on student success

May 7, 2024

Blinn College District Assistant Academic Dean of Mathematics Victoria Fowler and Dean for Student Engagement Dr. Kenneth Masenda have been selected as fellows for the Texas Success Center (TSC) Leadership Academy, a one-year leadership development program designed to provide mid-level community college leaders with the tools to effect change and positively impact student success.

Fowler and Masenda are part of the academy’s second cohort, which consists of 23 faculty and staff from 12 Texas community colleges.

The TSC supports the 50 community college districts in Texas as they evaluate, align, and integrate their work to increase student success through the Talent Strong Texas Pathways initiative. As a component of this mission, the TSC Leadership Academy was established to attract and retain talented community college leaders. Beginning in June, TSC Leadership Academy fellows will meet eight times throughout the year to work as part of a team on a pathways project.

Fowler has been at Blinn for more than 15 years, beginning her employment as a Spanish tutor while enrolled as a dual-credit student on the Brenham Campus. She later worked as a mathematics tutor and Learning Center assistant on the Bryan Campus while pursuing her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics from Texas A&M University. After earning her degrees, Fowler worked as a seismic engineer in Houston before returning to Blinn in 2010

Prior to her current position as Assistant Academic Dean of Mathematics, she served as Mathematics Department Head and Professor of Mathematics on the Brenham, Bryan, Schulenburg, and Sealy campuses.

“I am honored to be selected as a TSC Leadership Academy fellow, where I look forward to collaborating with like-minded leaders throughout the state that share my passion for supporting student success,” Fowler said. “I am eager to develop and work on initiatives that will benefit the students at Blinn College and throughout Texas. Blinn is a special place with a strong commitment to excellence that I can attest to as both an employee and former student. The professional development opportunity with the TSC Leadership Academy is one of many examples of Blinn’s dedication to cultivating the strengths and potential of all stakeholders.”

Masenda came to Blinn in 2017 and oversees Blinn’s academic advising, counseling and disability services, student leadership and activities, and residence life. He previously served as an adjunct instructor teaching Learning Framework, a class designed to provide study skills and other college success guidance. Masenda is involved in numerous initiatives that support students, including the Blinn Navigators mentoring program and “Horizons: A Pathway to Literacy,” the College’s Quality Enhancement Plan that focuses on improving student learning outcomes.

Masenda earned his associate degree in general studies from Navarro College and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas-Arlington. He earned a master’s degree and doctorate in education from Texas A&M University-Commerce.

“Becoming a TSC Leadership Academy fellow is a unique opportunity and I look forward to engaging with community college leaders to work toward the shared objective of helping our students achieve their academic goals,” Masenda said.