Brenda Cowen Administrative Associate V
- Staff
Brenda Cowen was born and raised on a ranch in Calhan, Colorado. She graduated from Calhan High School and moved to Baytown, Texas, to be a caregiver for her chronically ill grandmother. After her grandmother passed away, Cowen started her career at Baytown Medical Hospital. She married in 1988 and moved to Beaumont, Texas, where she began working at Texaco Chemical Company in Port Arthur, Texas. Upon the merger of Texaco and Chevron in October 2001, Cowan was transferred to Houston to continue her career in the Health and Medical Department. She retired after 30 years at Chevron in July 2020 and moved to North Texas.
Cowen became a widow in 2005 and has four children. The three older children are married and live in the Houston area. Her youngest son graduated from A&M-Commerce in 2024, and his love for the university spilled over into their home. Cowan came out of retirement and became a member of the Lion family on April 15, 2024.
A Conversation with Brenda Cowen
How do you help students?
I help students indirectly by supporting the development officers and the rest of the department with administrative support.
What makes A&M-Commerce unique?
The students, faculty and staff are all so polite and willing to help. I felt like I belonged here from my very first day of employment.
Why did you choose your career/what draws you to your discipline?
I truly love helping people, and I enjoy organizing, problem-solving and helping make my co-worker’s job a little easier.
Educational Background
- Lamar University
- Lee College
Professional Experience
- Administrative Associate, Philanthropy and Engagement, Texas A&M University-Commerce
- Project Coordinator, Chevron’s Corporate Health and Medical Department
- Administrative Support, Chevron’s Corporate Health and Medical Department
- Administrative Assistant, Corporate Medical, Texaco Chemical Company
- Administrative Assistant, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Baytown Medical Hospital (now Houston Methodist-Baytown)