Radford University has announced James “Ryan” Bowyer, M.S. ’12, as the new chief of staff in the Office of the President.
He will report directly to President Bret Danilowicz and will begin his role at Radford on Aug.10.
Bowyer returns to his alma mater 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 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.
Radford University
