Alumni Spotlight: The Making of a Texas Game Warden Captain

Finding His Path at HSU

In 2005, Ryan arrived at HSU with a passion for football and a planned path to becoming a coach or history teacher. However, after meeting Dr. Karin Brown and Dr. Allen Stafford, both of whom he credits as pivotal people in his educational journey, he decided to change his major to criminal justice with double minors in psychology and sociology.

“Dr. Allen Stafford and Dr. Brown were very different. Dr. Stafford, a former Marine, wore a suit and tie every day and had a structured, disciplined approach—class started on time, and things were done the right way,” explained Ryan. “Dr. Brown, who is one of the most intelligent people I know, was tremendously insightful in teaching how to think critically, analyze, and research complex topics. Together, they provided a great balance.”

This balance of compassion and discipline helped Ryan excel as a student and as a future leader.

From Game Warden to Captain

After graduating in 2009, Ryan followed in his grandfather’s footsteps by joining the Texas Game Warden Academy.

“The Game Warden occupation felt service-minded, but also one that was balanced with family and allowed me to be focused on my Christian faith,” said Ryan.

Ryan revealed he felt incredibly prepared to start the Game Warden Academy, claiming the process was rigorous and physically challenging.

“I also knew that my fundamental purpose, reiterated to me daily at Hardin-Simmons, is we’re going to serve others, and we’re going to be the hands and feet of Christ,” said Ryan.

Over the years, Ryan’s assignments have taken him across the Texas Panhandle, from Amarillo to the rural landscapes of Dumas and Canadian. His approach in the field is simple: foster relationships, build trust and serve the community with integrity.

His efforts haven’t gone unnoticed—Ryan was named Texas Game Warden of the Year twice, in 2012 and 2023, and he received the 2023 Texans Caring for Texans award for the panhandle-area Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. In October of 2024, he was promoted to Captain of Region 6, District 2, the central and western portion of the Texas Panhandle around the Lubbock area.

Even as his career flourished, Ryan never forgot HSU’s impact on his life. In 2016, he returned to the university as a full-time faculty member in the Criminal Justice Department. For two years, and continuing as an adjunct professor thereafter, Ryan poured his field experiences into the classroom, bringing case studies to life and preparing students for real-world challenges.

“I find it incredibly rewarding to see others grow—to watch that moment when things start clicking for them when they begin to see the results of their hard work,” said Ryan. “It’s fulfilling to witness the fruit of the seeds they planted months ago finally take shape. I’ve learned that pouring into others brings a deeper fulfillment than anything I could accomplish alone—because in the process, I learn just as much from them.”

Today, Ryan says his days as Captain are ever-changing, ranging from coordinating conservation efforts to mentoring young wardens and collaborating with agencies on complex operations.

In every role, Ryan’s leadership is anchored in values instilled during his time at HSU: faith, integrity, and service.