The Iowa-Missouri Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is pleased to announce the appointment of Kurtis Cowan as the new Vice-Principal at Sunnydale Academy beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.

Cowan, a Sunnydale Academy alumnus who graduated in 2001, brings a unique blend of healthcare leadership, administrative expertise, and ministry experience to his new role. After completing his education at Sunnydale, Cowan went on to earn his Bachelor of Health Science and Doctorate of Physical Therapy through Southern Adventist University and Andrews University.

“As a baptized member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and alumni of Adventist Education, I desire to be a part of educating young people for the Kingdom of God,” Cowan states in his professional objective. “I have a passion for young people to be actively engaged in spreading the Gospel by living out Biblical principles and engaging in evangelistic work.”

Since 2007, Cowan has built an impressive career in physical therapy with Key Rehab in the Kansas City area, where he has taken on increasingly responsible leadership positions. Beginning as a Licensed Physical Therapist creating and implementing patient care plans, he advanced to Program Coordinator handling administrative duties and coordinating multidisciplinary therapy. As Director of Therapy, he led interdisciplinary case management plans and handled scheduling responsibilities. Most recently, as Regional Supervisor, his duties have included employee, chart, and insurance reviews; building and maintaining relationships with facilities; providing staff training; conducting home evaluations and care plans with patients and families; and performing departmental financial review and analysis.

Alongside his professional career, Cowan has maintained an active role in ministry and education. He has served as a church elder and young adult Sabbath School leader at Chapel Oaks Church from 2007 to 2021. He has also been the head varsity basketball coach at Midland Adventist Academy since 2007.

Cowan’s commitment to mission work is evident through his involvement in numerous trips abroad. In 2007, he participated in a ShareHim mission trip to Rwanda, where he preached evangelistic series. He has been instrumental in leading Sunnydale Academy mission trips to India in 2008, 2010, 2016, 2017, and most recently in 2024, as well as leading trips to Nepal in 2013 and 2014.

Since 2017, Cowan has also been actively involved with NC4Y Pathfinders and Church, establishing a Pathfinder Club for refugee teens, participating in church planting efforts, leading a teen small group, and organizing and leading NC4Y Men’s Retreats.

Lee Rochholz, President of the Iowa-Missouri Conference, expressed confidence in the new appointment: “Kurtis brings a strong knowledge of Adventist Education as well as being an experienced leader. He understands the Mission of Sunnydale is to prepare students for ministry regardless of what occupation they go into as well as seeking to have a strong academic program.”

Cowan will begin his duties as Vice-Principal in August 2025, as the academy prepares for the new school year.