Radford University is pleased to welcome James "Ryan" Bowyer, M.S. ’12, as the new
chief of staff in the Office of the President. He will report directly to the president
and will begin his role at Radford on Aug.10.
Bowyer returns to his alma mater at a seminal moment in its history, as the university
prepares to launch an ambitious six-year strategic plan in January 2026. Among his
many responsibilities, he will play a critical role in ensuring that the new plan
is communicated effectively and implemented efficiently, as well as monitor progress
to help ensure the plan’s primary goals are achieved. He will also manage Cabinet
operations, provide guidance and oversight for institutional initiatives and serve
as a key liaison between President Bret Danilowicz and senior university stakeholders
and external partners.
“Being an alumnus of Radford and having served as a chief of staff, Ryan is prepared
to advance our goals immediately,” said Danilowicz. “He cares deeply about people
and community, which makes him an incredible fit with our university’s culture of
care and regional focus.”
Bowyer currently serves as senior vice president for administration and chief of staff
at Emory & Henry University, where he leads the administrative management and strategic
oversight of the Office of the President, among other responsibilities, ensuring execution
of presidential priorities and timely decision-making. He also has served as senior
vice president for student experience and strategy, executive director of strategic
initiatives and associate provost and dean of students at Emory & Henry. Before joining
Emory & Henry in 2018, he worked in several roles of increasing responsibility at
Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Coastal Carolina University
in Conway, South Carolina.
“This position is deeply personal to me,” Bowyer said. “The two years I spent at Radford
earning my master’s degree were transformational and guided me into a successful and
fulfilling career in higher education. I am truly excited to return home to the New
River Valley while serving an institution for which I care deeply.”
Bowyer earned a B.A. in history and a B.A. in Middle Eastern/Islamic studies from
Emory & Henry and an M.S. in curriculum and instruction from Radford University. He
is on track to complete an Ed.D. in higher education administration from the University
of Southern Mississippi in December 2025.
Special thanks to search committee chair Rob Hoover and committee members who invested
significant time and energy throughout this recruitment effort, including Alyssa Archer,
Katie Davis, Lisa Ghidotti, Angela Joyner, Jeanne Mekolichick and David Perryman.