Maj. Nicholas Cowan, M.A.

Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, Air Force ROTC  

In addition to teaching duties at the University of Portland, Major Nicholas Cowan serves as the recruiting officer for Air Force ROTC Detachment 695. He orchestrates officer candidate recruiting and outreach throughout the Portland metro area, encompassing nearly 7,000 square miles and three million people, including at all area high schools, local service organizations, and 15 universities and colleges. Maj. Cowan is a Portland native who joined the Air Force in 2007 through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Oregon State University. He is a career intelligence officer, Political-Military Affairs Specialist, and a graduate of the United States Air Force Weapons School. Prior to his current assignment, Maj. Cowan was the Director of Operations at the 30th Intelligence Squadron, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. Throughout his career, Maj. Cowan has commanded over 10,000 hours of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions operating U-2S, RQ-4B, MQ-1B, MQ-9A, and MC-12W aircraft. He has also deployed multiple times supporting Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, and Inherent Resolve. When not at work, he enjoys traveling with his family, is always cooking something from the garden, and can routinely be found DIY-ing projects around the house.