Every morning, Dr. Gregory Bowhuis walks the halls of Bryan High, stopping to greet teachers, check in with students, and even roll a trash can through the cafeteria. They are simple acts, but they capture his leadership style: hands-on, humble, and service-centered.

“When I first walked into Bryan High, I didn’t want to come in and change things just to change them,” principal Bowhuis said. “But I did want to repurpose spaces and clean up areas so we could maximize what this campus, built for nearly 4,000 students, can offer for the 2,300 we have now.”

Before arriving at Bryan High, Bowhuis served as the associate principal of Magnolia West High School and had worked as an administrator in four different districts. Those experiences gave him a deeper appreciation for what makes each school unique.

“The difference between Bryan High and where I’ve been before is really about the community,” Bowhuis said. “So many families have stayed in Bryan or returned here, and you can feel that connection in the hallways.”

Bowhuis recognizes the atmosphere of Bryan High that makes it stand out from many schools.

“What makes Bryan High unique is the freedom students have here, from courtyard spaces to the college-like feel of the campus,” Bowhuis said. “It’s a place where students feel trusted and part of something bigger.”

Many teachers and students were not sure what to expect from a new principal, but they quickly saw that Bowhuis was intentionally building on what Bryan High was already doing well.

“When I first met Dr. Bowhuis, the first thing I noticed was how tall he is; he’s about 6′ 6″,” physics teacher Michael Badzey said. “What stood out right away was that he was listening and not trying to be imposing, just taking in what we were already doing well.”

Teachers say that his openness to feedback is already making a difference.

“I think one of his strengths is how positive and approachable he is,” Badzey said. “He’s already visited my classroom a couple of times this year just to check in, and as a teacher, I really appreciated that.”

Bowhuis considers observing and recognizing teachers essential to building a healthy school culture.

“I think it’s vital to support teachers with feedback and recognition,” Bowhuis said. “We’ve expanded Teacher of the Month into Teacher of the Week because we have so many deserving staff members.”

English teacher Kristi McDaniel said one of Bowhuis’ biggest strengths is how open he is to communication.

“He is a very active leader and very involved,” McDaniel said. “He makes himself available to teachers and staff, which has been a dream.”

Students have also noticed his hands-on leadership.

“I’ve seen him all over campus recently, in the cafeteria, in classrooms, checking in every week,” junior Will Zwerneman said. “Sometimes he even walks around the lunchroom with a trash can, picking up trash.”

McDaniel added that Bowhuis balances professionalism with approachability.

“When I first met Dr. Bowhuis, he was very stoic and seemed to be taking the role very seriously,” McDaniel said. “But then in the quiet moments, you would catch his sense of humor in a subtle joke, which really broke the tension and showed his more lighthearted side.”

Badzey noticed that rather than making broad, sweeping changes, Bowhuis has focused on small, intentional improvements.

“My impression from working with him over the summer was that he wanted to adjust things without completely overturning them,” Badzey said. “He’s been careful to take things step by step, especially with big changes like the phone law.”

Bowhuis said his goal is to acknowledge and support every student, even those who do not usually find themselves in the spotlight.

“One of my passions is making sure every student is celebrated, even those who can’t join an organization,” Bowhuis said. “That’s why we’re opening up homecoming court nominations to include hardworking students who might otherwise be overlooked.”

Beyond classroom visits and recognition programs, Bowhuis hopes to blend new traditions with the school’s long-standing ones.

“I’d like to bring in new traditions like Powderpuff, Sadie Hawkins, talent shows, and even cooking competitions,” Bowhuis said. “At the same time, we’ll keep Bryan High’s long-standing traditions alive and embed them into new celebrations.”

McDaniel said that one of the most significant ways Bowhuis has helped the school so far is in establishing strong lines of communication.

“He’s definitely big on contact with students, teachers, and parents,” McDaniel said. “I feel like he has an active presence in almost every space at Bryan High, making sure he both understands the culture and contributes to it.”

Bowhuis said that staying visible, involved, and connected helps him better serve the campus.

“For me, helping students succeed starts with listening,” Bowhuis said. “I try to visit every classroom each week, and even if I can’t stop in, I at least want to look in the windows to see the great things happening.”

Students appreciate the active role the new principal has taken so far and have high hopes for the future.

“It really helps morale when he stays involved, whether that’s through Instagram posts, being visible in classrooms, or connecting with students and faculty,” Zwerneman said. “He’s done a great job so far, and I believe he’ll keep it up in the future.”

As Bryan High continues to evolve under new leadership, Bowhuis hopes to strengthen both school spirit and student involvement.

“I want Bryan High to be known as a positive place where students and staff feel ownership of their school,” Bowhuis said. “My goal is to serve, not just lead, and to make this the best school it can be. One thing I tell students is this: it’s your school—I simply work here.”