After 20 years of Coast Guard service, ASU Online graduate charts course toward new career

For nearly two decades, United States Coast Guard Senior Chief Petty Officer Nicholas McGowen has built a career navigating some of the nation's busiest waterways, leading crews through emergencies and ensuring the safety of others.

Now, as he prepares to retire after 20 years of military service in December, he's navigating a different kind of transition. One, he says, Arizona State University has helped prepare him for.

This spring, McGowen graduated magna cum laude, earning his bachelor's degree in organizational leadership with a focus on project management through ASU Online, building on the associate degree he earned in 2024 through ASU, in partnership with the United States Naval Community College (USNCC). 

Rather than taking a break after earning his associate degree, he enrolled immediately in the bachelor's program.

He is the first to graduate with his associate and undergraduate degrees through the partnership between USNCC and ASU. 

"I didn't want to lose momentum," McGowen said. "I was already in that study mindset, so I just kept going."

The decision paid off.

Through credits from his military training and associate degree, McGowen was able to shorten the time needed to complete his bachelor's while continuing to serve full-time in the Coast Guard.

At times, he enrolled in two classes simultaneously to move through the program more quickly, relying on the flexibility of ASU Online to fit coursework around the demands of military service.

"The professors were fantastic," he said. "Any time I had questions, they typically responded within 24 hours. They understood that many of us are working professionals and made it possible to stay on track."

As the Officer in Charge of Station Burlington in Vermont, McGowen oversees personnel, operations, and mission readiness, responsibilities that closely mirror the work of a civilian project manager.

His coursework reinforced many of the leadership skills he had developed throughout his military career and how those experiences translate beyond the Coast Guard.

"The degree gave me the language and framework for what I've been doing for years," McGowen said. "It helped me understand how my military experience applies in the civilian workforce."

The same month he completed his bachelor's degree, McGowen also earned his Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt, along with his 200-ton captain's license. The six-month credentialing process allows him to captain large passenger ships as he prepares for his next chapter. 

"I wanted to make sure I was as prepared as possible before retiring," he said.

Despite balancing military leadership, coursework and pursuing professional certifications, McGowen made one commitment that never changed: family came first.

Schoolwork happened only after his three sons went to bed, allowing evenings and weekends to remain focused on family. 

Occasionally, however, school became part of family life.

During a science course, his sons learned alongside him as he studied hurricanes, volcanos and tornadoes. When one leadership class explored different leadership styles, he turned the lesson into a conversation with his sons.

"I asked my boys what kind of leader they thought I was," he said. "It became something we could all learn from together."

His wife also embraced the journey.

On graduation day, she dressed their sons in ASU gear, hoisted an ASU flag and encouraged the family to celebrate with the university's signature "Forks Up" hand sign.

Professionally, he hopes to pursue a project management role, ideally consulting within the maritime industry.

He's already begun building that next chapter by expanding his professional network through LinkedIn and connecting with fellow Sun Devils.

"The ASU alumni network is incredible," he said. "It's opened doors and introduced me to people who have already made the transition I'm about to make."

Looking back, McGowen says earning his bachelor's degree wasn't simply about adding another credential. It was about preparing himself for a successful second career while showing his kids that learning never stops.

"I wanted my boys to see that even after 20 years in the military, you can still challenge yourself," he said. "Education isn't just about getting a job. It's about continuing to grow."

As he prepares to trade his Coast Guard uniform for a civilian career, McGowen says the lessons he gained through ASU and USNCC will continue to shape the way he leads long after his military service ends.

"I've spent my career helping people navigate difficult situations," he said. "Now I'm navigating my own transition, and I feel ready for what's next."