Walter Sowden

Dr. Walter Sowden is a Lecturer of Management and Organizations at the University of Michigan's Stephen M. Ross School of Business. With a 28-year U.S. Army career, he served in leadership roles including commanding a Forward Support Company during Operation Iraqi Freedom, teaching leadership at West Point, and directing research at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR). His work focuses on military psychology, moral decision-making, and optimizing performance in high-stakes environments. He holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of Michigan, an MA from Columbia University, and a BA from South Dakota State University.

Dr. Sowden’s research emphasizes the intersection of loyalty, ethics, and resilience. He has authored over 40 peer-reviewed articles and co-authored Leadership in Dangerous Situations. His contributions shaped the Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness initiative and informed a 2021 Congressional report. He also served as Chair of Madigan Army Medical Center’s Institutional Review Board, overseeing Indo-Pacific Command’s medical research.

His teaching spans undergraduate, MBA, and executive education programs, integrating behavioral science and leadership development. He has held adjunct roles at the Uniformed Services University and the University of Hawai’i. Current research explores moral reasoning, team dynamics under stress, and sleep’s impact on military performance.

Dr. Sowden’s career bridges academia and military service, emphasizing practical applications of psychological principles to enhance leadership and well-being in high-pressure settings.