Remembering Marsha Lowery
The Rutgers University–Camden community honors the life and contributions of Marsha Lowery, vice chancellor for student academic success at Rutgers University–Camden, whose leadership and dedicated service helped students overcome barriers, realize their potential, and achieve their academic goals.
An accomplished higher education leader with more than 20 years of experience, Lowery held a doctorate in educational leadership from Wilmington University, a master’s degree in nonprofit, public, and organizational management from Eastern University, and a bachelor’s degree in African American and Black studies from Temple University.
Lowery dedicated her career to advancing student retention, degree completion, and equitable access to educational opportunities. Her work was grounded in the belief that every student deserves the opportunity to succeed and the support of people who believe in their potential. For Lowery, higher education was more than a path to a degree; it was an opportunity for students to discover their strengths, develop a sense of belonging, overcome obstacles, and build promising futures.
At Rutgers–Camden, Lowery led university-wide efforts to strengthen student retention and persistence, expand academic support, and improve degree completion. She championed a proactive approach to student success, encouraging faculty and staff to recognize when students needed assistance and connect them with resources and guidance.
Her contributions helped launch The Bridge, a multicultural community space, cultural center, and student resource hub designed to foster connection, belonging, and leadership through the university’s designation as an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI), expand national and international fellowship opportunities through the Office of Scholar Development and Fellowship Advising, and establish the annual Raptor Rising Star Awards and the non-EOF Summer Bridge program to support student retention.
She also helped advance initiatives designed to strengthen students’ academic engagement, professional development, and connections across the university community. Through these efforts, Lowery helped shape a comprehensive approach to student success that recognized the importance of both academic achievement and a strong sense of belonging.
Lowery understood that student success was a shared responsibility. She encouraged colleagues to work together, lead with empathy, and recognize how timely guidance and meaningful connections could influence a student's educational journey.
Her legacy extends beyond the programs she helped establish. Through her dedication to service, generosity of spirit, and steadfast belief in students’ potential, Lowery helped strengthen a university community committed to ensuring that students have the support and opportunities they need to succeed.
