Gary Bowen

Dr. Bowen is Kenan Distinguished Professor in the School of Social Work (SSW) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH). He served as the School’s dean and as a member of the Provost Leadership Cabinet from August 2016-August 2021. Dr. Bowen is past president of the National Council on Family Relations. His honors include a Distinguished Alumni Award in 2013 from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s School of Health and Human Sciences and a Distinguished Alumni Award in 2016 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s School of Social Work. In 2017, he was selected as an American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare Fellow for his distinguished accomplishment as a scholar and practitioner dedicated to achieving excellence in his work to advance social good. In 2001, Bowen was selected as a National Council on Family Relations Fellow for his enduring contributions to the field of family studies through a career of teaching, scholarship, outreach, professional service, and leadership. In 2013, he was selected as an inaugural Fellow of the Society for Social Work and Research. Dr. Bowen received the “Most Innovative Professor Award” in 2002 from the Social Work Student Organization at the UNC-CH; he received the Dean’s Recognition of Teaching Excellence for three consecutive years (2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07) again in 2008-09 and 2010-11, and 2015-16 academic years. In 2016, Dr. Bowen received the Excellence in Doctoral Mentoring Award. Dr. Bowen serves as a member of the distinguished Research Council for America’s Promise.