Learn about our members

Professional Associates (PA) is a community of nearly 50 educators, scientists, innovators, business leaders, policymakers, and professionals who bring their real-world experience to support Fort Lewis College. Members share a commitment to strengthening student learning, enriching faculty teaching, and advancing community partnerships across the Four Corners.

Expertise across disciplines

PA members represent seven core areas of expertise:

  • Medicine, public health, and life sciences
  • Engineering, physical sciences, and technology
  • Environmental science and ecology
  • Education, sociology, and community development
  • Arts, communication, and humanities
  • Leadership, strategy, and organizational management
  • Law, policy, and government service

This breadth of knowledge allows PA members to serve as guest lecturers, mentors, advisors, and collaborators—bringing valuable insight to classrooms, academic programs, and community initiatives.

History and purpose

Professional Associates was established in 1999 by President Kendall Blanchard as a strategic advisory group. Since then, its role has expanded to include direct support for students, faculty, and community programming—while maintaining a strong advisory partnership with college leadership.

Meet our members

Each member brings a unique background and perspective to Fort Lewis College. Browse the directory below to explore individual bios, professional experience, and areas of expertise.

Robin J Bowman

bowmanro@umsystem.edu

Profession:  Professional Health Care Delivery | Health Care Education | Health Policy

Education

  • 2020, Certificate in Health Policy, McCourt School of Public Policy, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
  • 2011, MPH, Policy and Health, School of Public Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
  • 1992, BS, Nursing, University of Miami, Florida
  • 1982, RN, Charity Hospital School of Nursing, New Orleans, Louisiana

Robin J. Bowman is a health care professional with over 30 years of experience spanning clinical and nonclinical aspects of health care delivery, education, and policy. Her diverse background includes roles as a professor at a major state university and nursing schools, a marketing liaison for an inpatient rehabilitation center, a clinical developmental research associate in a pharmaceutical company, and a case manager in a private hospital. Additionally, her experience as an intensive care and palliative care nurse in both teaching and private hospitals provides her with a well-rounded perspective on the challenges within the health care system.

Expertise

  • Health Care Delivery: Intensive care, palliative care, case management, and inpatient rehabilitation.
  • Health Care Education: Teaching in universities and nursing schools, with a focus on health systems, clinical ethics, and public health.
  • Health Policy: Research and advocacy in public health systems, culture and health literacy, and policy development.

Recent Employment

  • University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, Teaching Professor, Sept. 2020 – May 2022; Courses taught: Health Care in the United States, Clinical Ethics, Public Health
  • University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, Teaching Professor, Jan. 2013 – May 2019; Courses taught: Health Care in the United States, Clinical Ethics, and Culture and Health Literacy
  • Study Abroad Faculty Leader, Pune, India, Spring 2017 (Public health systems in India)

Community Outreach

  • Fort Lewis College Professional Associates
  • Home Community Programs
  • Faculty Programs and Assistance
  • Life-Long Learning Series
  • Student Programs and Assistance
  • Student Scholarships