A product of private, catholic, and public schools, Mary Young breezes through life knowing her strength comes from above. She graduated from James Madison Senior High School at the age of 16 years old and already determined she would do something special with her life. She earned several degrees respectively and she credits much of her success to her life-time coach and mentor of Prairie View A&M University, the Legendary Coach Barbara Jacket. As a four year Academic All American in Track & Field, Young was able to travel around the world and to places she only thought existed on television.
Reading and writing became her passion in college which allowed her to be a member of the Student Government Association where she became an advocate for education. Young believes every child, given the time, can learn. She landed her first full-time teaching assignment in 1991 at Ross Shaw Sterling Senior High School in Houston, Texas and has been in and around education ever since. As a former college professor for over 16 years, nothing satisfies her more than seeing students succeed.
On March 24, 2017, with over 20 years in Law Enforcement with the Houston Police Department, she retired and was appointed Interim Chief of Police at Texas Southern University Department of Public Safety. She became the first Female in the history of Texas Southern University’s Police Department to hold this position. When asked how she felt about this appointment, she marveled and stated with excitement, “I’m blessed!” She continues to set the bar high and mentors females in Law Enforcement and other young ladies by helping them explore their passion to understand their purpose.
Young stays busy and on task. She is a strong community servant, recipient of several prestigious awards, A Diamond Life Member of the illustrious Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and a security consultant for Professional Athletes and Entertainers. However, nothing compares to motherhood! As a Mother of a 16 year old college student, her best living has just begun. Her “mini-me”, Maia, is as electrifying, smart and talented as her mother but the inward and outward beauty is icing on the cake.
Young is the epitome of what a Phenomenal Woman looks like. “Now you understand just why my head’s not bowed. I don’t shout or jump about or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing it ought to make you proud. I say, it’s the click of my heels, the bend of my hair, the palm of my hand the need of my care, cause I’m a woman, Phenomenally, Phenomenal Woman. That’s me!”
Mary L. Young
Executive Director/Chief of Police
Department of Public Safety
TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
3100 Cleburne Street
Houston, TX 77004
Ph. 713-313-7733
