As one of the founders of Oglala Lakota College, Dowell has thirty five years experience here on the reservation. He worked to initiate accreditation for the College and served as Department Chair and as Vice President. He played a role in many community development projects including initiation of Lakota Funds 20 years ago. He also worked with Lakota Funds to have student in some courses develop business plans and has conducted strategic planning sessions for Lakota Funds staff in past years.

Dowell holds a Bachelors in Social Science with a history teaching emphasis from the University of Northern Colorado and a PhD in Sociology with emphasis in social psychology, education organizations and community development from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He has also taught and been an administrator for colleges in Colorado, Michigan, and South Dakota. Thus, he brings Lakota Funds extensive supervision, management and leadership development skills. And, he is an experienced grant writer whose expertise includes budgeting and information management systems.

Dowell says he is exited by the progress made here in the past few years and looks forward to continued growth and development of the communities and entrepreneurs on the Reservation.