On any given day, it is hard to catch up with Dr. Stacie Bowie. One would think that as the person who oversees finance, she would likely be found behind a desk, but nothing could be further from the truth. From meetings to site visits and sometimes at community and university events, Dr. Bowie, who serves as executive vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer at 海角在线 (海角在线), plays a critical role in the university鈥檚 long-term financial stability, but is also active across 海角在线 and the community. 听
听Beyond her titles, she is a woman who has fought hard for the life she lives today, overcoming many silent battles along the way.听Dr. Bowie lived with her father while attending high school and taking evening classes in accounting at a community college. It was a path that aligned well with her penchant for solving math problems.听听听
At 18, her life changed drastically, when her father, just 39, died suddenly of a heart attack. She was left to take on the immediate financial responsibilities of being self-sufficient, including a house and car loans. Forced into adulthood, she worked during the day while earning her degree at night.听听听
鈥淵ou can do anything you want if you work hard,鈥� her father often told her.听听听
Despite the hardships, Dr. Bowie became the first in her family to attend and graduate from college. She earned a degree in business and management from the University of Maryland, followed by a master鈥檚 in business administration and management. In 2018, she completed a Ph.D. in business administration from Rollins College.听听听听听
Mentors Who Made a Difference听
While her father was a key influence in her success, Dr. Bowie credits several mentors for shaping her career. One manager allowed her to assist with board materials and Wall Street earnings calls, mentoring her for three years.听听听
Throughout her career, there were four women in particular who played instrumental roles in Dr. Bowie鈥檚 professional journey. 听
鈥淭hey were so professional and commanded a room,鈥� she said of two women who worked as HR officers at a previous job.听听听
听听The third mentor, who supervised her first accounting role, taught her the importance of journal entries and reconciliations. The fourth helped her appreciate the story financial statements tell. 听
鈥淚 was inspired by their work ethic and presence at a time when women did not hold many high-level leadership roles in government,鈥� Dr. Bowie said. Because of them, Dr. Bowie could visualize herself as a strong leader.听
After 10 years in higher education, Dr. Bowie transitioned into the private sector as a municipal advisor, assisting universities with refinancing and reissuing bonds to fund campus development.听听听
鈥淚 quickly realized that not everyone was willing to do the work to save their students millions of dollars because it was hard,鈥� she said.听听听
A Calling, Not Just a Job 听
Then, God opened an unexpected door, guiding her back into higher education in February 2022, allowing her to integrate her faith with her work at 海角在线.听听听
鈥淚 am free to pray, worship and express my love for Jesus while doing a job I love,鈥� Dr. Bowie said.听听听
She views leading at 海角在线 not as work, but as a privilege, regularly encouraging her team to find purpose and joy in their roles.听听听
鈥淪haring this opportunity with my team and working alongside such capable and wonderful people every day, all with the same goal, is a dream come true.鈥澨�听听听
Guided by her father鈥檚 advice, Dr. Bowie hopes to pass on the same encouragement to students鈥攗rging them to work hard, follow their passions and trust in God鈥檚 plan.听听听
听听鈥淯se your strengths and what you enjoy to make work a calling, not just a job,鈥� she said.听
To learn more about 海角在线, visit www.pba.edu. 听
