FBISD SUPERINTENDENT DR. CHARLES DUPRE – pictured with Mayor Allen Owen (left). On April 11, 2013, the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved Dr. Charles E. Dupre (right) as Superintendent of Schools for the state’s seventh largest school district. Dr. Dupre officially assumed duties of the Fort Bend ISD Superintendent on April 29. With a passion for serving children and young adults, Dr. Dupre has invested many hours in shaping the future of others through his role as mentor, Sunday school teacher, camp counselor and friend. Since becoming a superintendent in 2006 in Pflugerville ISD, Dr. Dupre’s commitment to developing capable young people has been supported by his background in financial management. He is the first African American to serve as Fort Bend ISD’s Superintendent.
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INTERVIEW: Superintendent Dr. Charles Dupre (Fort Bend ISD Superintendent) answers a few questions asked by Aubrey R. Taylor about his dream, mission in life, outlook for 2015, and advice to others striving to achieve their dream
QUESTION #1
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What was life like for you as a child growing up?
SUPERINTENDENT DUPRE: I had a complicated childhood. My mother died when I was five years old, and when I was seven, my father sent me to live in a faith-based children's home. I lived there until I finished high school. I was blessed to be well taken care of, and I received a good education that provided the foundation for future opportunities; but, it was challenging to be raised by people who were not my parents.
SUPERINTENDENT DUPRE: I had a complicated childhood. My mother died when I was five years old, and when I was seven, my father sent me to live in a faith-based children's home. I lived there until I finished high school. I was blessed to be well taken care of, and I received a good education that provided the foundation for future opportunities; but, it was challenging to be raised by people who were not my parents.
QUESTION #2
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What did you dream of becoming as you were a child growing up?
SUPERINTENDENT DUPRE: From a young age, I enjoyed performing, and public speaking. I wanted to be a performer or broadcast journalist.
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What did you dream of becoming as you were a child growing up?
SUPERINTENDENT DUPRE: From a young age, I enjoyed performing, and public speaking. I wanted to be a performer or broadcast journalist.
QUESTION #3
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: Did you achieve your childhood dream, or did it evolve into something different?
SUPERINTENDENT DUPRE: In terms of overall success, I have far exceeded my childhood dream, but I am definitely not doing what I originally dreamed! When I speak to students, I often remind them that it is likely they will end up in a job or profession they can't even conceive of today. In FBISD, our mission is to inspire and equip all students to pursue futures beyond what they can imagine. I feel blessed that teachers and others in my life prepared me in that way. I began my career as Certified Public Accountant. Today, I am Superintendent/CEO of one of the largest public school districts in Texas and the U.S. Who knew!?
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: Did you achieve your childhood dream, or did it evolve into something different?
SUPERINTENDENT DUPRE: In terms of overall success, I have far exceeded my childhood dream, but I am definitely not doing what I originally dreamed! When I speak to students, I often remind them that it is likely they will end up in a job or profession they can't even conceive of today. In FBISD, our mission is to inspire and equip all students to pursue futures beyond what they can imagine. I feel blessed that teachers and others in my life prepared me in that way. I began my career as Certified Public Accountant. Today, I am Superintendent/CEO of one of the largest public school districts in Texas and the U.S. Who knew!?
QUESTION #4
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What is your mission in life?
SUPERINTENDENT DUPRE: My primary mission in life is to glorify God in all I do. As a leader in public education, I feel I am fulfilling my calling to invest in the lives of others. The work we do as educators shapes the future of each child we touch, along with that of their families and any spouse or children they might have in the future. Our work also shapes the future of our community. If our community is to thrive, public schools must send productive, contributing citizens into the workforce. We must develop leaders and prepare students to give back to their communities and invest in the lives of others.
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What is your mission in life?
SUPERINTENDENT DUPRE: My primary mission in life is to glorify God in all I do. As a leader in public education, I feel I am fulfilling my calling to invest in the lives of others. The work we do as educators shapes the future of each child we touch, along with that of their families and any spouse or children they might have in the future. Our work also shapes the future of our community. If our community is to thrive, public schools must send productive, contributing citizens into the workforce. We must develop leaders and prepare students to give back to their communities and invest in the lives of others.
QUESTION #5
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: Do you have a recent accomplishment you would like to share?
SUPERINTENDENT DUPRE: On a personal level, in 2014, I completed a doctorate degree after four years of graduate school. Professionally, I am proud that, during the past two years, FBISD has engaged more stakeholders than ever before in developing comprehensive plans for the future. An important result of the community engagement is that 74 percent of voters approved the November 2014 bond election.
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: Do you have a recent accomplishment you would like to share?
SUPERINTENDENT DUPRE: On a personal level, in 2014, I completed a doctorate degree after four years of graduate school. Professionally, I am proud that, during the past two years, FBISD has engaged more stakeholders than ever before in developing comprehensive plans for the future. An important result of the community engagement is that 74 percent of voters approved the November 2014 bond election.
QUESTION #6
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What is your outlook for 2015?
SUPERINTENDENT DUPRE: In 2015, I will begin my third year as superintendent of FBISD, so I look forward to moving out of the "transition" phase of organizational development as we begin to bring to fruition two years of extensive planning done in partnership with a strong School Board, an engaged community and a dedicated staff. I will also complete my 20th year in public education, which is a major milestone. Even more importantly, I will celebrate 30 years of marriage to the beautiful woman who has faithfully shared life's journey with me in a loving, supportive way.
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What is your outlook for 2015?
SUPERINTENDENT DUPRE: In 2015, I will begin my third year as superintendent of FBISD, so I look forward to moving out of the "transition" phase of organizational development as we begin to bring to fruition two years of extensive planning done in partnership with a strong School Board, an engaged community and a dedicated staff. I will also complete my 20th year in public education, which is a major milestone. Even more importantly, I will celebrate 30 years of marriage to the beautiful woman who has faithfully shared life's journey with me in a loving, supportive way.
QUESTION #7
AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What advice would you give to someone out there striving to achieve their dream?
SUPERINTENDENT DUPRE: To achieve your dreams, you must be a person of integrity in all things and invest in authentic relationships with others, including colleagues at all levels of the organization. This is different than simply "networking." You must be a life-long learner, and demonstrate you are willing to work hard. It's also important to be flexible, nimble, and willing to stretch the boundaries of the status quo. You must possess the courage to take risks, learn from your mistakes and setbacks, and keep pressing forward.
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AUBREY R. TAYLOR: What advice would you give to someone out there striving to achieve their dream?
SUPERINTENDENT DUPRE: To achieve your dreams, you must be a person of integrity in all things and invest in authentic relationships with others, including colleagues at all levels of the organization. This is different than simply "networking." You must be a life-long learner, and demonstrate you are willing to work hard. It's also important to be flexible, nimble, and willing to stretch the boundaries of the status quo. You must possess the courage to take risks, learn from your mistakes and setbacks, and keep pressing forward.
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"I would like to take this moment to thank Superintendent Dr. Charles Dupre for finding value in our vision to uplift, inspire, inform, and empower others in association with our "2014 Year-End Review" edition of Houston Business Connections Magazine." -- Aubrey
As President and CEO of Aubrey R. Taylor Communications, I encourage you to support the people, small business, organizations, corporations and ministries who support our mission and vision to uplift, inspire, inform, and empower others as we climb.
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Aubrey R. Taylor
Publisher of Houston Business Connections Magazine
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**** Please do not forget that your support can enable us to reach more people with our message of encouragement, hope, inspiration, and empowerment. So email me your request for a hard-copy of our “2014 Year-End Review” edition of Houston Business Connections Magazine today at: (aubreyrtaylor@gmail.com). And don’t forget that our ad prices start at a very low $40.00 dollars per issue. WE CAN ACHIEVE OUR INDIVIDUAL AND CORPORATE GOALS AND DREAMS BY FINDING CREATIVE WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER!!!
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PEOPLE FEATURED ON THE COVER: Businessman Craig Joseph (owner of Houston's This Is It Soul Food). FBISD Superintendent Dr. Charles Dupre, TSU Program Director Dr. Michael O. Adams (Director of the eMPA and MPA programs at Texas Southern University), Judge Loyd Wright (District Probate Judge for Court #1 in Harris County), Businessman Bill Frazer (2015 Candidate for Controller of Houston), Controller Ronald C. Green (City of Houston Controller), Mayor Allen Owen (the mayor of Missouri City), Judge Christine Riddle Butts (District Probate Judge for Court #4 in Harris County), Grayle James (the FBISD President of the Board of Trustees), and Educator/Attorney Carroll G. Robinson (2015 Candidate for Controller of Houston). Email your request to (aubreyrtaylor@gmail.com) if you would like to have a copy of our "2014 Year-End Review" edition of Houston Business Connections Magazine mailed directly to your home or business.
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Boasting accreditation from the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA), the master of public administration (MPA) program at TSU is a 48-credit-hour program that has produced key change agents in human resources, international development and policy. For more information about these programs, please contact Dr. Michael O. Adams, 713-313-7760.
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Launched in Fall 2013, the emergency management and homeland security (EMHS) program is designed to create graduates with extensive theoretical and applied knowledge in emergency management and disaster research. The Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management and Homeland Security prepares students for careers in emergency management and public safety careers and will introduce students to the all-hazards approach, emergency disaster management phases, risk assessment, prevention and management, counter-terrorism, consequence management, mitigation, and recovery. For more information about these programs, please contact Dr. Michael O. Adams, 713-313-7760.
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Boasting accreditation from the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA), the master of public administration (MPA) program at TSU is a 48-credit-hour program that has produced key change agents in human resources, international development and policy. For more information about these programs, please contact Dr. Michael O. Adams, 713-313-7760.
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Launched in Fall 2013, the emergency management and homeland security (EMHS) program is designed to create graduates with extensive theoretical and applied knowledge in emergency management and disaster research. The Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management and Homeland Security prepares students for careers in emergency management and public safety careers and will introduce students to the all-hazards approach, emergency disaster management phases, risk assessment, prevention and management, counter-terrorism, consequence management, mitigation, and recovery. For more information about these programs, please contact Dr. Michael O. Adams, 713-313-7760.
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About Carroll G. Robinson
Carroll G. Robinson is an Associate Professor and a former Associate Dean of External Affairs at the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University (TSU) in Houston, Texas. Professor Robinson is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System (HCC) and a Citizen Member of the Board of Trustees of the Houston Firefighters’ Relief and Retirement Fund. He is a former member of the Board of Directors and Board of Advisors of K9s4COPs. He is also a past chairman of the Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce.
Professor Robinson is a former At-Large (elected citywide) member of the Houston (Texas) City Council. As a member of the City Council, Professor Robinson chaired the city’s Transportation, Technology and Infrastructure Committee.
Professor Robinson represented the City of Houston on the Board of Directors of the Houston-Galveston Area Council, the local council of regional governments. He served as a member of the Board’s Budget Committee and was a Vice Chair of the Transportation Policy Council. He also represented the City of Houston on the Board of Directors of the Alliance for I-69 Texas and TEX-21, a statewide transportation coalition of elected officials, business leaders and transportation and infrastructure professionals.
Professor Robinson is a former member of the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities where he served as a member of the Board’s Finance Committee and was a member of the Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Steering Committee. He is a former member of the Texas Municipal League’s Utilities and Environment Committee, and Transportation Task Force; Advisory Board of the Texas Environmental Defense Fund; a past President of the Texas Association of Black City Council Members where he was also a member of the Housing Committee; a former member of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO); a former member of the Texas Attorney General’s Municipal Advisory Committee (1998); Founding Chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council’s Local Elected Officials Network; a former Chairman of the National League of Cities Democratic Municipal Officials; a former member of the Democratic National Committee (DNC); and a former General Counsel of the Texas Democratic Party.
Prior to his election to the Houston City Council, Professor Robinson was an Associate Professor at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. He has also worked as an adjunct Professor at South Texas College of Law.
Professor Robinson has worked in the Texas Legislature as Chief of Staff and General Counsel to Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis. He received his Bachelor of Arts (with Honors) in Political Science from Richard Stockton State College in Pomona, New Jersey (where he received a Certificate of Academic Accomplishment in African-American Studies) and his Juris Doctorate from the National Law Center at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
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