Kenneth J. Brown

About Kenneth J. Brown

I am a passionate, data-driven student service leader who is passionate about leadership and strategic program development. My approach fosters an organizational culture built on authentic relationships, transparency, empowerment, and professional development. I led programs that value assessing, inspiring, and equipping students and staff to reach their fullest potential.Currently, I serve as the Director of College TRIO Programs at Bowling Green State University, overseeing TRIO Student Support Services and the McNair Scholars Program—two federally funded programs dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for historically underserved students. TRIO provides comprehensive academic support, financial literacy education, career counseling, and graduate school preparation to first-generation, low-income, and disabled students, ensuring they persist and graduate. Meanwhile, the McNair Scholars Program prepares high-achieving, first-generation, and underrepresented students for doctoral studies by offering research opportunities, faculty mentorship, and graduate school preparation. As a doctoral student in the Leadership Studies program at Bowling Green State University, my research explores the intersection of emotional intelligence and leadership behavior. I aim to uncover how leaders can leverage emotional intelligence to cultivate more effective, empathetic, and empowering organizational cultures.My leadership spans program development and implementation, budget management, compliance and reporting, external and campus partnerships, and continuous program assessment. Managing these programs involves strategic planning, staff supervision, compliance with federal regulations and legislations, and program assessment to maximize student success.Beyond my professional life, I am a proud husband and father, an avid Cleveland sports fan, and a financial member and leader of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.

Experience

1. Board Member

   Educational Opportunity Association Eoa

   Nov 2025 — Present

   Serving as the President-Elect for Ohio TRIO, the dedicated state chapter of the Educational Opportunity Association (EOA), formerly the Mid-America Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (MAEOPP). In this capacity, I serve on the EOA Board of Directors, designed to strategically advance Ohio TRIO\'s commitment to broadening accessibility and assuring success in a post-secondary environment for the state’s low-income, first-generation students, and students with disabilities.

Education

• Bowling Green State University

  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

  2021

• University of Toledo

  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

• The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars

  Media and Communications

• University of Toledo

  Master of Education (MEd)

Skills

• Student Development
• Organizational Leadership
• College Access
• Customer Service
• Peer Advocacy
• Marketing
• Fundraising
• Public Speaking
• Partnership Building
• Volunteer Mobilization
• Event Planning
• Community Outreach
• Teamwork
• Civic Engagement
• Supervision
• Developmental Education
• Program Development
• Management
• Strategic Planning
• Service Learning
• Youth Development
• Organizational Advising
• Leadership
• Residence Life
• Higher Education
• Time Management
• Resource Development
• Social Media