A native of Austin, Texas Gregory N. Bowens lives and works in Jacksonville, Florida as the Director of Annual Giving at Florida’s first Historically Black College and University (HBCU), Edward Waters University. Before that, he served as the Assistant Director of Alumni Volunteer Engagement at the University of Florida, and a Graduate Assistant/ Interim Director of the Office of Student Philanthropy and Donors Relations at the University of Florida. Gregory, an HBCU enthusiast, received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a specialization in Juvenile Justice, a minor in Social Work, and a Certification in Homeland Security and Emergency Management from Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas, and a Master of Education in Student Personnel Higher Education and a certification in Intergroup Dialogue from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. He is the founder and CEO of Push Through International, a nonprofit focused on minority male mentorship and scholarships for HBCUs. Gregory currently serves on the boards of his alma mater’s national alumni associations as the youngest elected member and aspires to become a university president. With academics and public service at the root of his passion, he is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and 100 Black Men of America Inc.
Gregory has been a part of ABA since 2021 and served in multiple roles on the ABA Gainesville Chapter Board, including the 2nd VP of Student Recruitment, and Treasurer, and currently serving as the Secretary. “I am most excited to get more local alumni engaged in the Gainesville Chapter”.