In a few short years, Marquitta Bowman, director of training and assistant director of Student Health Services’ Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), has already made quite an impression on her colleagues at Southern Illinois University Carbondale for her leadership and service to students, faculty, staff and the community — and especially for her service to underrepresented populations.
“Immediately upon arriving on campus, Dr. Bowman hit the ground running with commitment to service, dedication and the well-being of students, and has not looked back since,” wrote Jacari Henderson, director of Saluki Cares, in nominating Bowman for the award.
That’s why it is no surprise she was chosen as SIU’s 2026 Emerging Leader Award winner. It’s one of eight Excellence Awards presented recently to recognize faculty and staff for superior scholarship, creative endeavors, teaching and service.
Leadership with heart
Bowman’s positive influence is apparent well beyond CAPS and its work, colleagues say.
“Dr. Bowman exemplifies integrity, compassion, empathy and grace in every facet of her leadership,” Henderson wrote. “She leads not only with excellence, but with heart.”
Bowman has established partnerships providing extramural training opportunities and seminars to support the development of interns she mentors, works to help students address stress and stigma and providing them with coping strategies, and serves on a variety of campus and community committees and panels. She has helped lead a mental health forum at SIU, demonstrating her commitment to enhancing student success, experiences, retention and well-being.
Jariah Henderson, CAPS mental health coordinator, concurred, saying Bowman is understanding, compassionate and “listens intentionally, affirms diverse perspectives and extends grace, even in the moments of challenge. Dr. Bowman does not simply manage a team – she cultivates community. She leads by example, demonstrating professionalism, humility and accountability in ways that inspire those around her to rise to their fullest potential.”
An example with significance
She noted that as one of the few African American women leaders within counseling departments, Bowman’s presence carries profound significance. “Her leadership is both refreshing and inspiring. She embodies representation that matters deeply to students and emerging professionals who seek evidence that leadership and education are accessible to all. Through her example, she offers hope, visibility and affirmation that excellence in leadership transcends barriers. Her impact extends beyond policy and programming – it touches identity, belonging and possibility.”
Jariah and Jacari Henderson both say that Bowman is leading by example and having a profound influence on everyone she comes in contact with, elevating others around her via empathy, mentorship and principled leadership.
“Dr Bowman is committed to making a difference in the lives of those she assists, and she has a heart to serve in the mental health field and to promote our future psychologists, mental health advocates, trainers, supporters, educators and mentors,” Jacari Henderson said.
The Emerging Leader award, presented by the Network Empowering Women, honors employees who are within their first 10 years at the university who have shown a commitment to diversity, inclusive excellence and SIU’s mission through proven leadership, vision and activities in serving others on campus and in the region. Bowman expressed appreciation for the honor but also credits her success to the people she works with.
“I am deeply grateful for this recognition,” Bowman said. “I would not have been selected for this award without the support of strong leadership and mentorship, and I do not take it lightly. As a former Navy sailor with 21 years of service, I led a division of 200 personnel aboard a ship and 50 members in a naval hospital. Yet nothing compares to being acknowledged as an emerging leader striving to make a meaningful impact – not only for students, but also within the field of psychology and the broader community.”
Get to know MARQUITTA BOWMAN
Name: Marquitta Bowman
Department and job title: Counseling and Psychological Services at Student Health Services, director of training and assistant director of CPS.
Years at SIU Carbondale: 7.5 years.
Give us the elevator pitch for your job.
As part of CAPS, which is under Student Health Services, I help manage counseling services that provide therapy and psychological support for students along with crisis intervention and mental health outreach. I participate in campus mental health initiatives by contributing to events, panels and programs focused on student wellness and I provide specialized support to ROTC cadets..
I oversee all doctoral candidate interns that come from different universities around the world and their APA internship clinical training. Additionally, I oversee master’s level practicum students that come to us from SIU’s Human and Behavioral Sciences. Primarily, I train and supervise doctoral students to become psychologists, and assist to help build clinical skills for our Social Work and CARE students.
What is your favorite part of your job?
One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is witnessing student success as a result of the dedication they invest in their therapeutic journeys. I also find great fulfillment in watching our student clinicians develop into skilled psychologists, social workers and clinical mental health counselors.
Why did you choose SIU?
I chose SIU in 2018 while applying for my APA internship because the university offered everything I was seeking. The staff was – and continues to be – supportive, and I was drawn to the rich history I had learned about. CAPS was the sixth accredited internship in the nation, and with the psychology department’s strong reputation, I decided to take a chance on SIU. I am grateful that SIU took a chance on me as well. I enjoyed my experience so much that I chose to complete my postdoctoral fellowship here, and I have remained ever since.
My favorite activity away from work is:
My favorite activities outside of work include singing, songwriting and playing the saxophone. I am also currently learning to play the bass guitar. These creative outlets help keep my mind sharp and provide a meaningful way to step away from my professional responsibilities. I have been passionate about music since sixth grade, and I find it to be a powerful form of self-expression – one that allows for both personal exploration and a unique journey through performance and songwriting.
What is your favorite song?
My favorite song is “I hope You Dance” by LeAnn Womack. I am drawn to this song because life is often unpredictable, and at time it can feel unfair – that in itself can be challenging. Yet, we always have a choice: to stay on the sidelines and sit it out or to step forward and embrace what comes and dance through it. I choose to dance. Resilience is at the core of who I am.
