Veteran Ryan Cowley finds new mission through business, faith at Lipscomb
Kim Chaudoin |
After nearly 16 years serving his country in some of the world’s most challenging environments, Ryan Cowley is preparing for a new mission — walking across the stage in May as a Lipscomb University graduate.
Cowley, who will earn a Bachelor of Business Administration with a focus on entrepreneurship, has spent the last several years trading military operations for business strategy, applying the discipline and leadership forged during his service in the U.S. Army to the classroom.
A native of Cocoa Beach, Florida, who says Tennessee has been “home” for most of his life, Cowley came to Lipscomb seeking more than a degree.
“I chose Lipscomb because of its strong reputation for combining academic excellence with Christian values,” he said. “I was drawn to an environment that emphasizes the practical integration of faith and leadership in real world business experiences.”
Before arriving at Lipscomb, Cowley served in the U.S. Army for nearly 16 years, medically retiring in 2021 as a Sergeant First Class in Special Forces. During his military career, he served in a variety of leadership roles, including sniper section leader, reconnaissance and surveillance team leader, Special Forces weapons sergeant (Green Beret) and Special Forces senior NCO instructor. His service included multiple deployments across Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
“I’m extremely grateful for those experiences and how they’ve shaped my perspective,” shared Cowley.
At Lipscomb, Cowley was drawn to a business degree because of his interest in small business strategy and project management. He said the transition from military life to the classroom presented a new challenge, one that ultimately sharpened his skills and broadened his perspective.
“My experience at Lipscomb has been both challenging and rewarding,” he said. “The program pushed me to grow in my analytical thinking, communication and leadership abilities while in a completely different environment than the military. Howeve, my military experience gave me a disciplined and mission focused approach to my studies. I have approached my coursework with a strong sense of accountability and a commitment to performing at a high level. I try to bring a ‘Green Beret’ standard to everything I do.”
Through coursework, group projects and business simulations, Cowley said he gained practical experience that will serve him well in his future career. He also found that relationships forged with classmates and faculty were “just as valuable as the coursework itself.”
For the past two years, he has served as vice president of the Campus Veterans Organization, helping support fellow student veterans as they navigate life after military service. He said helping fellow veterans navigate life and college after their service has been one of the most meaningful aspects of his experience at Lipscomb.
“My time at Lipscomb has also strengthened my faith by encouraging me to reflect on how my values align with my profession and leadership style,” Cowley said. “Being in an environment that integrates faith into learning has helped me develop a more intentional and purpose driven perspective on both my career and personal life.”
“I’ve been fortunate to be encouraged by both faculty and fellow students during my time at Lipscomb,” he continued. “Their support and perspectives have made a lasting impact on my journey. I am particularly thankful for Sam, Jimmy and Diane in the Office of Veteran Services who consistently go above and beyond to support veterans and play a vital role in our success.”
Following graduation, Cowley will pursue his MBA at Lipscomb while building his career in business strategy and project management. He and his wife also plan to continue growing their architectural design firm, Draft, as they establish roots in Nashville.