PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (March 30, 2026) – There are moments that don’t feel real until years later, when you’re standing in your purpose and realize someone once spoke it over you before you believed it yourself.
On March 25, 2026, a group of soon-to-be educators from the Whitlowe R. Green College of Education at Prairie View A&M University experienced one of those defining moments. After listening as each student introduced themselves and shared the degrees they were pursuing, the guest stood before them and said, without hesitation, “You all have jobs. Today.”
Just like that, the trajectory of 12 clinical teaching candidates shifted. Ten will graduate from WRGCOE in May 2026, while two others, completing their residencies, are set to graduate in December. Laughter, disbelief, and quiet sighs of relief filled the room as it became clear the guest addressing them was entirely serious; opportunity wasn’t coming someday; for many of them, it had already arrived. What made the moment even more impactful? The announcement came from someone who knows exactly what it takes to get there.
Dr. Roosevelt Nivens, Superintendent of Lamar Consolidated ISD, and recently named 2026 National Superintendent of the Year by the Texas Association of School Boards, visited PVAMU’s College of Education not for a routine appearance, but for something far more meaningful: a conversation rooted in truth, purpose, and lived experience.
Seated comfortably, suited, grounded, and unapologetically himself (custom cowboy boots and all), Dr. Nivens didn’t deliver a polished keynote. He gave them something better. He gave them a glimpse into real-life experience. Dr. Nivens didn’t shy away from his story. In fact, he leaned into it.
He spoke openly about a childhood marked by struggle, about being a young man who once couldn’t read or write fluently, and about a moment in his life when he didn’t see a future at all. It was a teacher…just one…who changed that trajectory. “That’s the power you’re about to have,” he told them. “That’s the responsibility.”
From there, his journey unfolded as a series of intentional decisions. From third-grade math teacher (a role he admits didn’t quite fit) to high school coach, to principal, and eventually superintendent. At every step, one theme remained consistent: influence.
“I became a principal so I could control who gets in front of kids. I became a superintendent so I could influence an entire system.”
That philosophy, deeply rooted in accountability, resonated throughout the room. Attendees could see the hopeful expressions on the faces of students who had no idea what to expect after commencement. PVAMU professors know, this kind of interaction is intended to increase academic quality through curriculum innovation and experiential learning, one of the key priorities of the University’s strategic plan, PVAMU 2035: Journey to Eminence.
If there was one message that landed with unmistakable clarity, it was this: Content can be taught. Character cannot. Dr. Nivens made it plain that when he hires educators, he’s not just looking for degrees or technical skills. “If you can speak life into young people, I’ll hire you. I can teach you math. I can’t teach you how to be a good person.”
It wasn’t a theoretical statement. It was a standard. And in a field where burnout is real and challenges are constant, his emphasis on attitude, ethics, and purpose struck a chord with students already thinking about what kind of educators they want to become.
One of the most powerful moments came when Dr. Nivens shared how he almost talked himself out of his current role. At the time, he was leading a small rural district (just 1,500 students). Lamar CISD, by comparison, had tens of thousands. He didn’t think he fit.
So, he said no. Twice. Until he realized something: “Don’t limit yourself. Don’t be your own barrier.” He applied. He was hired. And today, under his leadership, Lamar CISD has grown to nearly 49,000 students and is recognized as one of the top-performing districts in the country. As someone remarked during his visit, that kind of makes his being recognized as the 2025 Texas Association of School Boards Superintendent of the Year even more meaningful…acknowledging, not bad for someone who once questioned whether he belonged in the room.
For all the strategy, structure, and leadership he discussed, it was a single story that brought everything home. A former student, once disciplined, redirected, and pushed, ran up to him years later in a parking lot. Not with resentment, but gratitude. With a family. With a life. The encounter in the parking lot of a supermarket was unexpected (as Dr. Nivens recalled with humor). The student reminded him that he was one of the kids who needed an extra dose of tough when Dr. Nivens was the principal at his school. And with one simple remark, both knew it was all worth it.
“It worked,” the student told him.
That’s the part you can’t measure on a test or a data sheet. That’s the part that stays.
The visit also underscored an ongoing initiative within PVAMU’s College of Education. The WRGCOE maintains a strong, retention-driven student population of nearly 500, primarily composed of continuing, in-state students. With nearly half identifying as first-generation and a significant number Pell-eligible, the college continues to serve as a critical access point for upward mobility, while opportunities remain to grow new student enrollment and expand geographic reach.
Under the leadership of Dr. RoSusan Bartee, in her first year, the College is actively elevating its profile while ensuring students are not just prepared to enter classrooms, but to lead within them. From strengthening academic pathways to creating opportunities for direct engagement with leaders like Dr. Nivens, the focus is clear: equip future educators with both the skillset and the mindset to succeed.
“Under my administration, our College is strategically seeking to expand our footprint of excellence in K-12 arenas in the broader Houston metropolitan area,” Dr. Bartee said. “As our motto indicates, Excellence Lives Here, and specifically, for our College, Excellence Knows No Boundaries.” Dean Bartee continued by adding, “Lamar CISD fits within that scope, and Superintendent Nivens’ journey of leadership excellence aligns with mission-focused efforts of excellence in teaching and learning.”
By the end of the session, what remained wasn’t just a list of tips or career advice. It was a shift in perspective. Students didn’t just hear about the profession, they saw what’s possible inside of it. They asked questions that moved from “How do I get hired?” to “How do I make an impact?” And maybe most importantly, they left with something bigger than reassurance. They left with responsibility. Because, as Dr. Nivens made clear, whether they fully grasp it yet or not, they are stepping into roles that shape lives.
He added that one day, someone might run up to them in a parking lot and say, “You changed everything for me.” That’s the job. That’s the legacy.
And as of March 26, for a room full of future educators at Prairie View A&M University, it’s already begun.
By Liz Faublas-Wallace
-PVAMU-