Wright State alum Scott Bauer honored for career of service, leadership and innovation

Wright State University has never been compared to a sandbox, but when Scott Bauer talks about it, the analogy makes sense.

“In my work I focus on what the government buys to make the process more efficient and effective,” said Bauer, who received a bachelor’s degree in marketing in 2004 and an MBA in 2005 from Wright State. “Before we make big purchases, we use the sandbox concept. Basically, it’s a test environment where you can try things out first.”

“That was exactly what Wright State was for me,” he continued. “It gave me a chance to explore different career paths until I found the right fit. Also, I had room to make mistakes, learn from them and grow in a supportive environment.”

Bauer has certainly learned and grown, so much so that he received the 2025 Alumnus of the Year Award from the Wright State University Alumni Association.

Bauer exemplifies the positive impact of civilian federal service. Rising from an entry-level clerk to the senior executive service, he has helped professionalize the federal workforce and enhance capabilities that strengthen national security.

His federal career began in human resources and expanded to acquisitions and finance, where he made a difference in three cabinet-level departments.

At the Department of Defense, he was director of acquisition career management for 32 defense agencies. He improved workforce programs, developed retention strategies and launched an innovative leadership development initiative.

Rising from an entry-level clerk to the senior executive service, two-time Wright State grad Scott Bauer exemplifies the positive impact of civilian federal service.

At the Department of Homeland Security, he led workforce training and professional development initiatives as acting senior executive advisor in the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer. He expanded training opportunities, eliminated a department-wide certification backlog and strengthened the agency’s talent pipeline.

At the Department of Veterans Affairs, he was executive director for strategy and operations in the Veterans Health Administration. He re-engineered the budget formation process, secured funding to support critical initiatives, and aligned priorities with federal oversight through compelling storytelling, earning recognition from the Government Accountability Office.

After serving as the vice president of business development at Integrated Data Services, he returned to the Defense Department in January as the director of human capital and resource management.

Bauer lauds his time at Wright State, saying the university helped him develop the confidence to take on new challenges and continue learning, shaping his career every step of the way.

At Wright State, Bauer built a foundation in service and leadership and was inducted into the honor societies of Alpha Lambda Delta, Beta Gamma Sigma and Golden Key International. As a member of the Raj Soin College of Business Dean’s Student Advisory Board, he provided insight into campus activities and helped shape programs.

He was also a residential advisor, mentoring peers and helping them transition to college life.

“A Wright State degree means more than just an education to me,” Bauer said. “It represents a foundation of my personal and professional growth. It’s where I discovered my strength. It taught me the importance of being adaptable and collaborative. Those are values that I still hold dear today. The degree is a symbol of an opportunity and being resilient.”