trustee representative
John J. Bowen '77
University President
Member, Board of Trustees
Johnson & Wales University
Providence, RI
BS Food Service Management
Dr. John J. Bowen was elected university president in July 2004 and has served as a member of the Board of Trustees since 1992. Throughout his career, Dr. Bowen’s leadership has directed Johnson & Wales’ success and cemented its current standing as America’s Career University. Dr. Bowen oversees more than 16,000 students and approximately 2,000 employees at four domestic campuses.
Dr. Bowen began his career at J&W in 1974 as a faculty member in the newly established culinary arts program. Early on he helped reaffirm the University’s focus on career education by establishing the career development office. This critical element in the achievement of the University’s mission has resulted in an outstanding 98% employment rate for J&W graduates, and the brand promise of Best Fit Employment.
A dedicated community leader, Dr. Bowen donates his time and expertise to a number of board affiliations including the executive committee of the Providence Foundation, the governing board of Crossroads Rhode Island and board of directors for the Rhode Island Commodores. His community involvement and passion for education have led to numerous recognitions and honors including the Special Recognition Award from the Human Relations Commission, The David E. Sweet Award from Leadership Rhode Island, Educator of the Year Award from the American Culinary Federation, the Honneur of Gold Medal from the Academie Culinaire de France and the National Jewish Medical and Research Center of Denver Humanitarian Award. He also serves as a bank director for Citizens Bank of Rhode Island and Connecticut, a member of the board for The Providence Journal Company, a trustee for Save the Bay, a board member of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Commission for Lifelong learning of the American Council on Education.