The Kannapolis City Board of Education unanimously selected Kenneth Bowen to become the next principal of A.L. Brown High School.
“I’m excited about coming to A.L. Brown and serving the students and staff,” Bowen said. “I have done a lot of research about A.L. Brown, and I think this is a great fit for me and the school. I really wanted to get back to working with students again. I miss high school greatly, and I’m excited about helping students move forward. That’s my true passion, and I’m grateful that Kannapolis City Schools could provide me with that opportunity.”
Bowen is currently the executive director of the South Carolina Science Academy in Columbia, and has extensive educational experience in North and South Carolina. Bowan’s previous positions include high school principal, assistant principal, social studies teacher, counselor, assistant superintendent and chief officer for student learning and accountability.
Bowan has an excellent record of increasing student achievement; promoting science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, education and using technology to improve learning and teaching. He also has a strong background involving all stakeholders in the success of students.
As principal of Eugene Ashley High School in New Hanover County, Bowen led the development of a Marine Science Academy and earned a STEM grant from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. He also increased the use of technology and helped raise test scores and the school’s graduation rate.
Before that, Bowen served as the principal of Marlboro County High School in South Carolina and as the assistant principal of Pinecrest High School in Moore County. While Bowen was principal of Marlboro County High School, the school was one of only 13 in the nation to earn the Character Education Citizens of Character Award, one of only two South Carolina high schools to receive the South Carolina Red Carpet Award for customer service and community relations and one of only 16 South Carolina schools named to the Riley Award Honor Roll School Improvement Council.
Bowen served as chief officer for learning and accountability in Pender County and as an assistant superintendent in the Washington County School District. In 2012, he was named the University of North Carolina at Pembroke Young Alumnus of the Year for his extraordinary success as an educator.
Kannapolis City Schools Superintendent Dr. Pam Cain said she believes Bowen will be an excellent leader for A.L. Brown High School.
“Everyone has been extremely impressed with Kenneth Bowen’s talent as an educator and with his success in every school he has led. He has a strong background in STEM education and technology, and he is the right person to lead A.L. Brown High School. I am excited that he is coming to Kannapolis, and I know he will do an outstanding job guiding A.L. Brown to even further success,” she said.
Bowen earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and he is expected to finish his doctorate in educational leadership from East Carolina University later this year.
Bowen will begin as principal at the beginning of August.