News

Dr. Jennifer Kent

For 100 years, Victoria College has served generations of families across the Golden Crescent area. But its legacy isn’t measured in decades—it’s measured in the thousands of students who walked through its doors with a dream and left empowered to build a better life.

Dr. Jennifer Kent knows that journey firsthand. As a first-generation college student, she understands the life-changing power of higher education. It’s a profound perspective she brings to her role every day as President of Victoria College—and as the first woman to lead the institution in its century-long history.

Kent was already familiar with the area. Her first teaching job was in Port Lavaca nearly 30 years ago. Her journey in education took her and her family across Texas, including years teaching and serving as a principal in the Dallas area. She was searching for an opportunity to make a greater impact when she applied for the presidency of Victoria College.

“I was definitely looking for an opportunity to serve not only students but the community as a whole,” said Kent. “This institution, at that time, had been here for 95 years, and you could just tell that this was the kind of place that really changed lives. The mission and vision at Victoria College aligned perfectly with my own beliefs, and I felt certain I could contribute to the important work.”

Kent arrived at VC in lockstep with its culture and commitment to serving students and the region. When she officially stepped into the presidency in August 2020, the world—and higher education—was still navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a time marked by uncertainty, her steady leadership combined compassion with strategic action, ensuring that students remained at the heart of every decision.

Kent weighs each decision with care, guided by the belief that removing even a single barrier can change the trajectory of a student’s life—and the lives of future generations.

“So many of our students have experienced generational poverty,” said Kent. “We know that if we can remove those barriers and help them achieve success, it’s not just changing their lives—it’s changing their family’s future for generations. The stakes are that high.”

The student-centered approach is evident across all departments, inspiring institutional change and recognition at the state level. Victoria College earned the prestigious ROSE (Recognition of Scaling Excellence) award from the Texas Success Center in both 2023 and 2025—honors that highlight VC’s leadership in student success through the Talent Strong Texas Pathways strategy.

“I’m very proud that Victoria College has been recognized twice now by the Texas Success Center with the ROSE award,” said Kent. “It’s a team effort and a testament to how everyone at VC comes together to support and help our students any way they can.”

Over the last five years, Victoria College has ushered in meaningful, measurable change. The college expanded its adult education programs, broadened the grant department, enhanced access to free mental health and student support services, and adopted cost-saving strategies to help reduce the financial burden of textbooks.

Kent has also built on strong foundations of community and industry collaboration, and continues to deepen relationships with local employers and regional leaders to align academic offerings with workforce needs.

“We see our work as pivotal to regional economic development,” said Kent. “At the core of who we are, we provide the trained and educated workforce and do so in a way that leads to upward economic mobility.”

In 2023, the Victoria community approved a $10 million bond for a new Student Success Center—a transformative project that will consolidate essential student services into one central location. The three-story facility, which will open later this year, is largely funded through grants, donations, and institutional investments, reinforcing VC’s commitment to student access and support.

Looking ahead, Kent sees even more opportunity on the horizon—including the transfer of the University of Houston-Victoria to the Texas A&M System.

“UHV has been an amazing partner,” said Kent. “We are excited knowing that A&M is committed to aligning their programs with our regional workforce needs. We look forward to seeing new programs, especially in the fields of engineering and agriculture.”

Throughout her presidency, Kent has remained deeply committed to collaboration—not only with students, faculty, and regional partners. She credits the VC Board of Trustees for providing essential guidance and support as VC continues to evolve to meet the needs of the region.

Kent has not only championed local students through her leadership at VC. She is also a strong voice for expanding access to higher education across Texas as a member of the Texas Association of Community Colleges (TACC) Executive Committee. She also contributes her insight to TACC’s Legislative committee, helping shape statewide policies and initiatives. Nationally, she was selected for the inaugural cohort of the Aspen Institute’s Presidents Fellowship, where she collaborated with peers to develop strategies for improving student success for all students.

As Victoria College enters its second century, Kent remains focused on the same core mission that has guided VC for the past 100 years: opening doors, removing barriers, and building brighter futures.

“I feel so honored to be part of Victoria College’s history,” said Kent. “We’re not just preparing students for jobs—we’re preparing them for life. And that’s a responsibility I carry with pride every single day.”