Prior to coming to the University of Georgia in 2011, he received his BA in Economics and Spanish from Xavier University (2002), a MA in Conflict Resolution from the University of Denver (2005), and his PhD in Political Science (focusing on conflict and cooperation in International Relations) from the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign; 2011). During his time living in Denver, Colorado, Professor Owsiak also received an Advanced Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution from the University of Denver (2005) and worked as a volunteer mediator for Jefferson County Mediation Services in Jefferson County, Colorado.