He previously served as the Vice President of Academics at North Greenville University in Tigerville, SC, and as the Associate Provost at Charleston Sothern University in Charleston, SC. He is a member of the Board of Directors for Conference Carolinas and also serves a Board member of the Georgia Independent College Association.

Dowless has teaching experience at North Carolina State University, Campbell University, Southeastern Seminary, and Emmanuel University of Oradea. In addition to teaching, he has missions experience in Romania and West Virginia.

He and his wife are members of Pleasant Valley South Baptist Church in Silver Creek, GA.