Lisle, Ill. – Feb. 11, 2025 – DeVry University's Board of Trustees today announced the appointment of Dana H. Born, Ph.D. as its new Chair. A leader in higher education, Dr. Born brings extensive military, academic and board experience to the role. She is the first female elected to this position in the university’s 94-year history.
Dr. Born succeeds Michael Peel, who is concluding his term as Chair and will transition to Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee.
“It’s a privilege to take on this role and serve an institution with an unwavering commitment to preparing learners to thrive in careers shaped by continuous technological change,” said Dana H. Born, Ph.D., who has served as a trustee on DeVry’s Board since 2019. “I am deeply grateful for the foundation of excellence that Mike has built over the past six years. His vision, imagination and leadership have elevated DeVry in remarkable ways, and I am excited to build upon that momentum as we move forward together.”
Dana H. Born, Ph.D., is a senior advisor to the National Security Fellowship at Harvard’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. Previously, she spent 30 years in the United States Air Force (USAF), achieving the rank of Brigadier General and serving in key Air Force leadership roles in the U.S. and around the world.
In addition to her military commander roles, Dr. Born served two terms as Dean of the Faculty at the United States Air Force Academy and as a Professor and Head of the Behavioral Sciences and Leadership Department. Following her military career, she joined the faculty of Harvard University as a Lecturer in Public Policy, Co-Director of their Center for Public Leadership and Faculty Chair of the Senior Executive Fellows (SEF) program.
“Reflecting on the past six years, I am incredibly proud of what we have built together at DeVry. The university has continued to innovate and adapt in a challenging higher education environment, and I have no doubt that Dana will lead with the same dedication and vision that have defined DeVry’s progress,” added Michael Peel. “I look forward to supporting her and the Board in my new role as Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee.”
“I extend my deepest gratitude to Mike for his extraordinary leadership. His principled governance, strategic vision and commitment have been instrumental in fortifying DeVry’s institutional success. Under his leadership, the Board of Trustees matured into a powerful force for institutional progress. His legacy is one of enduring impact, and I am grateful that DeVry will continue to benefit from his wisdom and leadership as he steps into his new trustee role,” noted DeVry University’s President and CEO, Elise Awwad. “At the same time, I am honored to welcome Dana, a leader of extraordinary distinction, as our new Board Chair. Her intellectual rigor, integrity and distinguished leadership across academia, the military and public service make her uniquely suited to support DeVry University into its next era. We are privileged to benefit from her insight and vision as we continue to advance our mission as an institution.”
Other members of DeVry University’s Board of Trustees, include:
· Elise Awwad – President and CEO, DeVry University
· Krisztina ‘Z’ Holly – Venture Partner, Good Growth Capital and former Vice Provost for Innovation at the University of Southern California
· Robert Klapper – President, School Solutions – FullBloom
· Thomas Monahan – CEO, Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc
· Jane Oates – Senior Policy Advisor, WorkingNation
· Richard Rodriguez – President and CEO, Acero Schools
· James Rosseau, Sr. – CEO, The Corelink Solution
· Mark Shriver – President of Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School & Corporate Work Study Program and Senior Advisor at Save the Children
· Raquel Tamez – Chief Inclusion and Engagement Officer at Charles River Associates
· Betsy Ziegler – CEO, 1871
· Dennis J. Keller – Honorary Lifetime Trustee
· Ronald L. Taylor – Honorary Lifetime Trustee
The Board of Trustees has the responsibility for approving the university’s mission, policies, strategic plan, annual operating plan and all matters related to governance of DeVry.
For more information, please visit: https://www.devry.edu
