Prof. Brandy Cowen is a Clinical Assistant Professor and DH1 Clinic Coordinator at Texas A&M College of Dentistry's Dental Hygiene Department. She has a decade of experience as a registered dental hygienist and has been a dental hygiene educator since 2016. She is the course director for Preclinical Dental Hygiene, Clinical Dental Hygiene I, Health Education & Behavioral Sciences, and co-course director for Local Anesthesia & Nitrous Oxide Conscious Sedation.

Prof. Cowen earned her Associate of Science from Grayson County College, a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene and a Master of Science in Health Studies with an Emphasis in Dental Hygiene from Texas Woman’s University.  She is trained through the Mental Health First Aid course through the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and recently received her Dental Infection Prevention & Control Certification through the Association for Dental Safety and Dental Assisting National Board.

Prof. Cowen’s professional interests include infection prevention and control, workplace safety, quality assurance and fostering a sense of belonging in dental hygiene education. She has presented many safety and infection control topics at the local, state and regional levels. She is passionate about empowering dental hygiene students to cultivate and lead a culture of safety, asepsis and accountability throughout their education and professional careers.

Prof. Cowen currently serves as Chair for the Texas A&M School of Dentistry Infection Control Committee, Dental Hygiene Clinic Coordinators of Texas, Educational Programs for Texas Dental Hygiene Educators and Past-Chair of the ADEA Clinical Coordinators Special Interest Group. Additionally, she is an active member of the American Dental Education Association, the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, the Texas Dental Hygienists’ Association and the Association for Dental Safety.

Dr. Antanious White is an educator, researcher and ADEA Senior Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) with over a decade of experience advancing equity and inclusion in education and professional organizations. As a scholar, his work explores the intersectionality of race, gender and place-based identities, examining their impact on educational outcomes and health disparities while highlighting pathways of resilience.

Committed to advancing DEI, Dr. White has led innovative initiatives aimed at dismantling systemic barriers and promoting social justice in education. His teaching philosophy emphasizes racial equity, critical thinking and collaboration, fostering an inclusive classroom environment where students are encouraged to engage deeply with complex social issues.

Dr. White continues at ADEA to lead transformative efforts that advance diversity and inclusion in higher education. With a collaborative and solutions-driven approach, he is dedicated to uplifting marginalized communities and inspiring systemic change through education, research and DEI leadership.