Meet Mister and Miss Bowie State University (2026-2027): Ryan Lynch and Chiamaka Ekekwe

HBCU Kings and Queens carry more than a title. They carry the culture, the history, and the pride of their entire campus every time they step onto the yard. That is why we at Watch The Yard are launching a new series dedicated to introducing you to the leaders wearing the crown this year, continuing with Bowie State University.

Mister Bowie State University Ryan Lynch is a senior Communications major from Prince George’s County, Maryland, and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., initiated in Spring 2026. Miss Bowie State University Chiamaka Ekekwe is a senior Communications major also from Prince George’s County, Maryland, and a soror of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., initiated in Spring 2025. Together, Lynch (@ryanlynchofficial_) and Ekekwe (@adorechichi) represent Bowie State’s Bulldog Nation with a shared commitment to service and representation.

Watch The Yard put out an open call to HBCU Kings and Queens across the country and we were able to interview Lynch and Ekekwe about their reign. Read our interview with them:

What motivated you to run for King of your school? Tell us what you campaigned on and what you set out to accomplish once you were crowned.

Ryan Lynch: “What motivated me to run for Mister Bowie State University was the opportunity to give back to a university that has given me so much and to be an advocate for the students around me. My campaign was centered on encouraging students to emerge to there destiny’s and leaving an impact that reaches beyond a title. My main goal is to make my reign something that students could feel connected to. One rooted in service, representation, and reminding people that they have the power to make a difference.”

What do you love most about your school, and what would you want someone who has never set foot on your campus to understand about what makes it special?

Ryan Lynch: “What I love most about Bowie State is the feeling you get when you’re on campus and surrounded by people who genuinely care about being Bulldogs. Homecoming, football games, being on the yard, and seeing everyone come together are moments that really capture what makes this place special. There’s a sense of pride and history here that you can feel in the little things, and you understand it differently once you’ve experienced it for yourself. I’d want someone who has never been here to know that Bowie State has a spirit you can’t fully explain until you’ve stood on this campus and called it home.”

How has your school molded you into the person you are today? Take us to a specific moment, person, or experience on your campus that changed you.

Chiamaka Ekekwe: “Bowie State University has taught me that leadership is not about being seen, but about making sure others feel seen. When I first came to Bowie, I was still figuring out who I was and what I wanted my college experience to look like. Becoming a member of the Royal Court and eventually serving in leadership roles pushed me far outside of my comfort zone. I remember standing in spaces where I was expected to speak, lead, represent, and make decisions for more than just myself. At first, that responsibility felt intimidating, but over time, I realized that my voice had a purpose. One of the biggest moments of growth for me was realizing that being Queen on this campus meant more than wearing a crown. It meant showing up for students, supporting organizations, creating opportunities, mentoring others, and being someone people could look to. Bowie State challenged me to lead with both confidence and grace. It taught me that you can be ambitious while still being compassionate, and that your greatest impact is often measured by the people you encourage along the way. The girl who arrived at Bowie was looking for her place. The woman leaving Bowie knows that she was always meant to create space for others, too. This university didn’t just prepare me for a career; it helped me discover my voice, my purpose, and the kind of leader I want to be long after I leave these gates.”

What does it mean to you to hold this title at an HBCU specifically, and what do you hope students take away from your reign long after you graduate?

Chiamaka Ekekwe: “Holding this title at an HBCU means so much more to me because this crown represents more than royalty, it represents legacy. I’ve had the privilege of growing on this campus, and now I have the responsibility of leaving something behind for the students who come after me. I hope my reign reminds someone that they are capable, that their voice matters, and that they don’t have to change who they are to be worthy of being seen. When I graduate, I don’t want people to only remember the girl who wore the crown. I want them to remember the girl who used it to make others feel like they could wear one too.”

We at Watch The Yard would like to commend Ryan Lynch and Chiamaka Ekekwe for the way they are already leading with heart at Bowie State University. Here’s to a reign built on service, purpose, and pride in the Bulldog. Congratulations, Mister and Miss Bowie State University. We wish you a successful and impactful reign.

(Photo Credit: @g9.productions, @x.b_photography)