Dr. Ray Royalty: A Natural Leader Supporting Converse Students
Written by Amanda Mathis
Decades Of Service
Dr. Ray Royalty’s military journey began in his early years, growing up near the Panama Canal Zone. He hails from an established military family as a third-generation veteran who has served with the 1st Infantry Division in foreign campaigns during times of conflict – World War II, Vietnam, and Iraq – and his natural leadership practice is a testament to his upbringing and experiences.
“Military life was natural for me,” reflected Royalty. “I understood how things operated in that culture.”
While moving multiple times worldwide, Royalty became an Eagle Scout and graduated high school in Louisiana. He went on to pursue an engineering degree from West Point before beginning a 37-year career in the U.S. Army as an Infantry Officer, both active and reserve, before retiring as a Major General and serving as the Deputy Chief of Staff at the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) at Fort Eustis, Virginia.
Additionally, his tour of duty included serving in the 1st Infantry Division as a Senior Combat Advisor supporting the Iraqi military during Operation Iraqi Freedom, as Director of Army Protection, Headquarters Department of the Army G-3/5/7, at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and as the Commanding General, 84th Training Command, Fort Knox, Kentucky. Over the years, he also earned an MBA from Winthrop University, a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, and an Ed.D in Human and Organizational Learning from The George Washington University.
The practice of leadership is innate to him, as it has been a part of his daily life.
“You can’t put yourself in a silo as life changes,” Royalty said, who brings a unique experience of leadership to the classroom. His service has been recognized through many military awards and decorations, each representing a significant achievement in his career. These include the Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and the Army Staff Identification Badge, along with various other decorations. Notable among these are the Distinguished Service Medal (3), Legion of Merit (2), and the Bronze Star Medal, each awarded for exceptional service while serving from platoon to service levels of responsibility.
“My career has never been about me – it’s about the team,” emphasized Royalty as he discussed selfless leadership, and always putting the team first, as a source of inspiration. “We know good leadership when we experience it; everyone can bring a different perspective.”
His Next Chapter
Royalty’s career is not limited to the military; he learned from working at the Pentagon that there is never a final decision. Instead, it’s a constant evaluation and reevaluation as new information shows itself. This life lesson was true while serving in the Army Reserve, where he gained extensive corporate experience working across multiple Fortune 500 companies. This part of his career includes serving on executive leadership teams in manufacturing, sales, IT project management, and enterprise software implementations, showcasing his versatility and adaptability in various professional settings.
“I want to help our students expand their horizons to learn and reflect.”
Dr. Ray Royalty
Then, in 2024, Royalty made a significant career pivot, transitioning from his esteemed military career spanning more than 30 years to launching a new chapter – becoming an Assistant Professor of Leadership for The Graduate School at Converse University. This transition not only showcases his dedication to education but also his willingness to adapt and learn in new environments.
“We focus on our community with a quality education, and I want to help our students expand their horizons to learn and reflect,” said Royalty. “I may not have all the answers, but I will find someone who will.”
He has taken his leadership skills and focused on developing more leaders and supporting their passion for helping the Spartanburg and Upstate communities. There is an effort to encourage everyone to work together and learn how to support your team from start to finish.
Converse’s Commitment To The Military
“Part of the appeal for me to pursue a career at Converse is to help build a more prominent military presence as it adds to the diversity on campus,” said Royalty. “It’s more than just checking a box; it’s helping our students discover their passion.”
Converse University recognizes that being a military-friendly school is crucial in helping veterans transition into civilian life. Earlier this year, the University revitalized and enhanced its long-standing student-veteran services to offer critical support to military students through a recent partnership with Spartanburg Academic Movement’s newest philanthropic endeavor, Movement 2030, and OneSpartanburg.
In April, Converse was honored with the 2024-2025 Military Friendly® School designation at the Silver Level. This award recognizes colleges, universities, and schools for embracing military students and going to great lengths to ensure resources for student’s success in the classroom, on campus, and after graduation. This recognition was based on the evaluation of public data sources and responses from more than 1,800 schools, with Converse among 537 earning special awards for exceeding the standard.
Converse also recognizes the importance of supporting families and spouses during this transitional time from military to student life. This year, the University was also recognized as a 2024-2025 Military Spouse Friendly® School for providing the best post-secondary education experiences for spouses of service members.
Join Converse’s Military Community
All eligible veterans and active duty members can receive assistance by applying for education benefits through Converse’s VA Certifying Office in the Financial Planning Office. The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs is the only agency to determine eligibility for and award this benefit. Visit the Converse website for more details about our graduate leadership programs and our continued efforts to support Converse’s veteran programs.