Office of the President — Scott McDowell

Dr. Scott McDowell became the seventh president of Lubbock Christian University on April 1, 2020, following a national search by the Board of Trustees. McDowell has a distinguished 27-year career in Christian higher education. He came to LCU from Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas where he served as Vice President for Student Life. Prior to joining ACU’s administration, he was the Senior Vice President of Student Life at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee.

As an executive cabinet member for ACU and Lipscomb, McDowell increased revenue sources, oversaw multimillion-dollar construction projects, created innovative strategies for student retention, assisted in creating new academic degree offerings, as well as built and led highly successful teams. His academic experience also includes teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in theology and leadership. An accomplished public speaker, McDowell has presented on leadership, faith, and higher education at a number of prestigious events, summits, and conferences, including the Thomas H. Olbricht Christian Scholars Conference and the Baylor Leadership Summit.

McDowell received his bachelor’s degree from Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tennessee and his Master of Arts in Religion from Lipscomb University. He earned his doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California. He has been married to Kay (Owen) for 30 years. Kay, who has experienced a successful career in PR, was recently appointed President of the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, a nationally recognized chamber of commerce. They have three sons—Alec, a project engineer in Nashville; Cade, a student at LCU; and Cole, who attends Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky as a member of the football team.