Biography

Wayne H. Bowen is a professor of history and associate vice provost for Undergraduate Studies at the University of Central Florida. He develops and implements policies and practices for undergraduate students, oversees the university’s General Education Program, reviews undergraduate appeals, and supervises teams responsible for high-impact practices and academic services.

Bowen is a retired colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve and served in Iraq and with NATO in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Southern California, a master’s degree and doctorate in European history from Northwestern University, and a master’s in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College. He specializes in the history of Spain and the Mediterranean.

Bowen is the author of 11 books, including seven on Spanish history from the early modern era to the Cold War. He has published more than two dozen articles in academic journals on topics including the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and great power relations since 1800. His articles have been published in 10 countries and translated into Spanish, Polish, French and Turkish. His latest work examines relations between the Spanish and Ottoman empires from the 15th to the 20th centuries.

An active member of the Central Florida community, Bowen serves on the board of directors for the Seminole County Chamber of Commerce, on the City of Oviedo’s Sustainability Task Force, and as assistant clerk for the Seminole County Supervisor of Elections. He is a graduate of the City of Oviedo’s Community Police Academy and a 2023-24 participant in Seminole County Public Schools’ Community Ambassador Program.