#17 - Carine M. Feyten, Ph.D

If You Denton Know Dr. Carine Feyten, now you do.

Chancellor and President of Texas Woman’s University, Carine M. Feyten, PhD joins Brad in The Den for a wide-ranging conversation on TWU’s 125-year legacy, her journey from Belgium to Denton, and what it looks like to lead a “campus with a heart.” They dive into TWU’s woman-focused mission, whole-person development, major campus growth, the new Health Sciences Center, and why athletics has become a powerful front door to the university.

Key Topics Covered

• TWU’s 125-year history and the university’s mission today
• Belgium upbringing, bilingual roots, and what brought her to the U.S.
• Language as “windows on the world” and why it shapes leadership
• “Campus with a heart” and whole-person development (mind, money, health, purpose)
• New Health Sciences Center and interprofessional education model
• Aviation program launch and finding unmet needs
• TWU athletics growth, national rankings, and academic excellence
• Building visibility, partnerships with Denton, and lessons from leadership
• Advice to young women on leadership, courage, and failing fast
• Denton favorites and places she loves

Timestamps

• 00:00 Intro: Belgium to Denton, institution-builder, and TWU’s defining chapter
• 02:17 TWU at 125 years and why the mission still matters
• 04:44 What it means to be a university system and the women-focused distinction
• 07:15 Growing up bilingual in Belgium and switching languages in school
• 09:11 Why she came to the U.S. and choosing to stay
• 12:33 “Languages are windows on the world”
• 19:07 First impressions of Denton and what sealed TWU for her
• 20:04 “Campus with a heart” and why it took off
• 21:45 Whole-person development, wellbeing, and why TWU “walks the talk”
• 26:14 The new Health Sciences Center, interprofessional education, and rural clinics
• 30:27 Aviation program, women in pilots, and building programs fast
• 35:33 Athletics, campus spirit, and why sports are the front door
• 39:05 Big decisions, identity, and focusing on TWU’s “gift to the table”
• 41:16 Missteps, listening, and building relationships with the city
• 48:07 Advice: leadership without titles, bravery over perfection
• 51:55 Where to follow her and learn more about TWU

Memorable Moments and Takeaways

• A women-focused environment changes who steps up. With fewer men on campus, women lead more naturally and consistently, building confidence and voice.
• Education is bigger than academics. TWU’s wellbeing focus is designed to help graduates thrive in health, finances, relationships, and purpose.
• The Health Sciences Center is about teamwork. Interprofessional education mirrors real patient care and strengthens outcomes, especially for rural communities.
• Find the niche, fill the gap. Aviation and women’s wrestling are examples of identifying needs others have not addressed.
• Leadership is built, not granted. Titles do not make leaders. Curiosity, courage, and contribution do.

Guest Bio

Dr. Carine Feyten is the Chancellor and President of Texas Woman’s University. A native of Belgium and fluent in five languages, she is a published scholar and higher education leader who has guided TWU through major growth, new programs, and an expanded statewide footprint while strengthening the university’s distinctive woman-focused mission and culture of care.

Follow Dr. Feyten on social media! @twupres