Elise Awwad

Elise Awwad serves as President and CEO of DeVry University, and is known as a visionary leader in higher education. With a commitment to advancing career pathways for diverse learners, Elise has dedicated nearly 20 years to DeVry, where she has driven cultural transformation, academic excellence, and student-centered innovation. Her firsthand insight into student needs inspired her commitment to creating personalized, impactful learning journeys that empower students from enrollment to career success. Previously, as Chief Operating Officer, Elise redefined student support by integrating academic achievement, career readiness, and operational excellence. Her leadership led to enhanced student outcomes and affordability measures, such as tuition freezes and scholarships, expanding educational access for many. Today, as CEO, Elise continues to elevate DeVry’s mission to align learning with workforce needs, forming partnerships that bridge education and industry in meaningful ways. A firm believer in inclusive leadership, Elise founded EDGE, DeVry’s first women’s business resource group, and launched the award-winning Women+Tech Scholars program, recognized for its impact on gender equity in technology fields. Elise also serves on multiple boards, is a founding member of Chief, and a member of the International Women’s Forum and League of Women Voters, where she contributes to broader conversations on equity, empowerment, and community impact.