Elise Awwad

Elise Awwad is president and CEO of DeVry University and is widely recognized as an innovative leader in higher education. Known for breaking down barriers and leading cultural transformation, she is passionate about expanding access to education and advancing career outcomes for diverse learner populations.


At DeVry, Awwad is committed to fulfilling the university’s mission, vision, and values while strengthening its position as an outcomes-focused institution. She drives innovation, academic integrity, and student success by helping learners pursue their career goals through industry-relevant programs, enabling employers to build future-ready talent pipelines, and supporting workforce reskilling in an economy increasingly shaped by technology and AI. Under her leadership, DeVry has made significant investments in student success, including a multiyear tuition freeze, expanded scholarships and grants, and strategic partnerships that broaden access to education.


Awwad joined DeVry in 2004 as an admissions representative and has advanced through multiple leadership roles over a 22-year career. Her experience across departments has given her a deep understanding of student needs and informed her commitment to creating personalized educational journeys that support both graduation and long-term career success. In 2023, she was appointed DeVry’s first female president and CEO.


She is a contributor to the Forbes Business Council, where she writes on workforce transformation, leadership, and the future of education in an AI-driven economy.


Awwad is actively engaged in civic and professional leadership. She serves as a national trustee for Boys & Girls Clubs of America and is a board director for the Chicago Area Runners Association and International Women’s Forum Chicago. She also serves on the GetSet Learning and Curalinc boards of advisors and is a member of The Economic Club of Chicago and the League of Women Voters.


Awwad earned an MBA from DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management, an Executive MBA from the University of Notre Dame, and a Graduate Certificate in Public Policy from the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia.


She is a two-time recipient of the Titan 100 Chicago award, recognizing the region’s top CEOs and C-suite leaders.