Ryan Bowie, Business Administration

Ryan Bowie’s achievements as a Winslow Township firefighter have paralleled his pursuit of a Business Administration degree concentrating in Management. 

“I plan to use my degree to further my career in the fire service by pursuing promotions in the future,” he said. “My management degree will have given me all the tools I need to be successful in a role that requires management skills, such as a captain or battalion chief.” 

Bowie appreciated that Stockton’s School of Business allowed him the opportunity to attend in-person classes while also being employed full-time, which he attributes to flexible scheduling and the wide array of classes offered.

“I was still able to get the ‘college experience’ on campus, instead of being limited to online universities. I also had the opportunity to take many 'At Some Distance' courses that I would have never otherwise gotten to experience, such as an acting class,” Bowie said. 

“Stockton’s School of Business has been wonderful for me. I’ve loved the diversity of classes I’ve taken for my major, and how they’ve prepared me for not just all the facets of the world of business, but also life,” he said.

However, success was not always a linear path for Bowie. After years of waiting for the perfect opportunity as a firefighter, he was unable to pass a portion of the testing process, preventing him from being appointed. “I had to dig deep and do everything I could to try and get a second chance from the Civil Service to pass the test so that I could be permanently appointed, instead of just provisional/temporary,” he recalled. 

“I never gave up, though, and after almost a full year of battling for a second chance I was finally awarded it, passed my test, and earned permanent appointment. I could not have done it without the support of my family, coworkers, friends, and peers and professors at Stockton, so I definitely learned to appreciate everything in life more.” 

When reflecting on what he will miss most about Stockton, Bowie is split between missing the campus and the people.  

“One of the biggest reasons I chose to attend Stockton was the beauty of its campus. Having grown up in the Pinelands, Stockton’s campus offers a sense of comfort and familiarity, as well as serene beauty,” he said. I’ll definitely miss the occasional daydream looking out of classroom windows and taking walks around Lake Fred. 

“I’ll also miss all the wonderful people at Stockton. I don’t think I’ve ever met someone on campus who I didn’t like. Such a great group of people, and I am lucky to have gotten to know them,” Bowie said.