New director to lead innovative student opportunity program at Binghamton

Alesha Bowman, originally from Kansas City, Missouri, brings a diverse background to her new role as director of the Promise Scholars Initiative. After earning an undergraduate degree in fashion merchandising, she pursued master’s and doctoral studies in student affairs and higher education administration. During her doctorate, she launched a successful business focused on recycling second-hand and vintage clothing for plus-size women, turning her passion for fashion into a thriving venture. Yet, as her academic career advanced, Bowman recognized that her true calling was higher education and supporting students. She decided to close her store and transition fully into academia, combining her love for fashion and education as a faculty member at Herkimer Community College.

For three years, Bowman was an assistant professor in Herkimer’s Fashion Buying and Merchandising A.A.S. program. When Herkimer launched Advancing Success in Associate Pathways (ASAP), a SUNY-wide initiative that provides academic and financial assistance to motivated Pell-eligible students, Bowman—with her background in student affairs and higher education—was asked to step into the director role.

This experience shaped her vision for innovative student support. Seeking to expand her impact in a larger university environment, she saw the Promise Scholars opening at Binghamton as the perfect opportunity to lead a program aligned with her long-term goals and aspirations.

“Dr. Bowman was selected following a national search,” said Karen Jones, vice president of the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, “and she distinguished herself through her experience and commitment early on. First, her leadership with Herkimer’s ASAP, and then her proactive hosting of discovery meetings with cultural club student leaders prior to her campus interview. She took the initiative to reach out to our students and to build relationships with them, which we know is a critical aspect of retention.”

Bowman arrived at Binghamton in October 2025 with the goal of getting Promise Scholars up and running.

Meeting the needs of all students

The Promise Scholars Initiative aims to offer comprehensive support to help students overcome barriers, understand their identities, and successfully navigate higher education. According to national and University data, second-year students face some of the sharpest declines in retention, often feeling isolated or unsure about how to navigate college life. This experience is exactly what the Promise Scholars Initiative aims to change.

Passport to Promise, the signature program of Promise Scholars, is a cohort-based initiative for second-year students that supports them through graduation to address challenges that may prevent them from completing their degrees. It also seeks to fill a gap, reaching students who may not qualify for existing programs or be engaged with campus life, and who are often missed by traditional support networks. Bowman is readying to launch the pilot Passport to Promise program in fall 2026 with an initial cohort of 25 second-year students.

“We’ll work with students to help them develop a comprehensive plan for the next few years, and make sure they have all the resources they need,” Bowman said. “Seniors don’t always know what they want to do after college, and this will help them not only develop a plan but also the actionable steps to reach their goals.”

Bowman has set a target of achieving an 80% graduation rate for the first cohort, expected to graduate within the next three years. She also hopes to see an increase in student participation in the division’s centers, including the Q Center and the Multicultural Resource Center. An exit survey will evaluate the program’s success.

“We’ll assess students’ sense of belonging throughout their time in the program,” Bowman explained. “We anticipate the data will show that students feel a greater sense of belonging on campus; that’s our goal. We’ll also evaluate how students are finding and using campus resources.”

The other component of Promise Scholars provides flexible support through the Pathways referral program, which also allows students to self-refer. This program offers short-term assistance, ranging from two weeks to a full semester, to help students overcome barriers. Students receive one-on-one meetings to address challenges such as mental health concerns, academic pressure, or time management. While Bowman will not provide direct mental health support, she can help students identify appropriate resources and navigate available services.

“Sometimes you just need a little help,” Bowman explained, “because you are having a bad semester.”

Bowman envisions the Promise Scholars Initiative as an integral program that advances the University’s mission of student success, inclusivity, and belonging.

“Overall, we want students to know and understand they belong here, and there are resources and people here that can help them succeed.”

For more information about the Promise Scholars Initiative, please visit our website.