Brenda Cowart

Meet Brenda Cowart, a UTRGV Unsung Hero

Text by Amanda A. Taylor

Brenda Cowart, assistant director of scholarships within the university’s Scholarships & Enrollment Communications department, oversees crucial funds distributed to students through endowed and athletic scholarships. Watching UTRGV provide a committed and dedicated university experience to students is a driving force behind what she provides students daily. “UTRGV is a wonderful place to show how much we value and support the next generation,” Cowart said. “We have made it through some tough times and the future is uncertain, but we always keep the goal in mind of seeing our students graduate!”

NAME: Brenda Cowart
JOB TITLE:
Assistant Director of Scholarships
CAMPUS:
Edinburg
DEPARTMENT: Scholarships & Enrollment Communication 

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AT UTRGV?
I oversee awarding of our endowed scholarships and our athletic scholarships.   


HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED HERE?
Twelve years. 

WITH THE SOCIAL CHANGES DUE TO COVID-19, DESCRIBE YOUR AVERAGE DAY
We work with our students and staff mostly by email and phone, so we were able to keep doing that during our time working from home. We are back in the office now and enjoy seeing our students on campus again. 

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE TO MAINTAINING YOUR ROLE DURING COVID-19?
Our biggest challenge has been helping with the additional programs created because of the pandemic. We spent a lot of time trying to get necessary funds to our students. It was a lot of work but very rewarding to be able to help in this time of need. 

IN WHAT WAYS ARE YOU HELPING YOUR DEPARTMENT MITIGATE THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS?
We are a small department, so we each work on trying to stay safe for our families and coworkers. 
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE MEMORY, OR STORY, ABOUT YOUR TIME HERE?
In UTPA days, trying to win the NCAA sixth fan competition was such fun and involved so many people! Since we became UTRGV, it has been great meeting our coworkers from Brownsville and getting to know them. 

TELL US SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU:
I am a very proud grandma, with another one on the way!  

WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UTRGV COMMUNITY?
I am so impressed with all our staff and faculty at UTRGV. I see every day their commitment and dedication to our students. UTRGV is a wonderful place to show how much we value and support the next generation.  

WHAT ARE SOME ENCOURAGING WORDS YOU COULD SHARE WITH YOUR PEERS ABOUT COVID-19?
I am very thankful for my peers at UTRGV. We have made it through some tough times and the future is uncertain, but we always keep the goal in mind of seeing our students graduate. 

I Am UTRGV