Dr. Robin E. Bowen was officially elected as the 12th president of Arkansas Tech University Thursday. Bowen is the first female president of a public, four-year university in Arkansas.

"I am both humbled and honored to be standing here before you being named the 12th president of Arkansas Tech University," Bowen said in a statement. "I'm so grateful for this opportunity to serve the Career Center, the Ozark campus and the Russellville campus. We know that everything we do, first and foremost, is for the students."

Bowen replaces Robert Brown, who stepped down after serving the Russellville University for 21 years.

Brown is the second-longest serving president in Arkansas Tech history only behind J.W. Hull, who served as a President from 1932-67. He will assume the titles of President Emeritus and distinguished professor of economics.

Bowen joins the Arkansas Tech community after serving as an as executive vice president and provost at the Fitchburg State University in Massachusetts. Her tenure with Fitchburg began in June 2011 as the school's vice president for academic affairs. She assumed the role of executive vice president and provost of the institution in July.

Bowen also had stints with schools in Kansas and Missouri. She served as interim provost and vice president for academic affairs at the Donnelly College, vice president for academic affairs at the Washburn University and dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies and the College of Arts and Sciences at the Rockhurst University.

Bowen also worked in various administrative positions at the Texas Tech University, the Kansas University Medical Center, Rockhurst University and Washburn University.

Bowen earned a Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy from the University of Kansas, Master's in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Arkansas, and a doctorate in higher education from the Texas Tech University.