In conversation ft. Elise Awwad | DeVry University – Edu Unlocked Podcast

Elise Awwad

Guest

Elise Awwad is the President and CEO of DeVry University and is widely regarded as one of the most innovative leaders in higher education. Recognized for driving cultural transformation and expanding access to education, she is deeply committed to empowering learners of all backgrounds and advancing career-focused education.
In her role, Awwad leads DeVry’s mission, vision, and values across the institution, fostering academic excellence, operational effectiveness, and student success. She champions innovation and integrity in all aspects of the university’s work—advancing programs aligned with in-demand skills, creating employer partnerships, and supporting workforce reskilling in an era shaped by technology and automation. Under her leadership, DeVry continues to strengthen its position as a high-quality institution delivering inclusive, technology-integrated degree and non-degree programs.
Previously serving as DeVry’s Chief Operating Officer, Awwad reimagined student support with a holistic approach that emphasized academic achievement, career readiness, and lifelong professional development. Her work modernizing processes and integrating technology earned broad recognition and drove consistent improvements in student outcomes—while also helping reduce the cost of education through tuition freezes and expanded grants and scholarships.
Awwad began her DeVry career in 2004 as an admissions advisor and rose through multiple leadership roles, gaining firsthand insight into student needs. In 2023, she became DeVry’s first female President and CEO, inspired by the stories and aspirations of the learners she serves.
A committed advocate for women in leadership, Awwad is a founding member of Chief, a member of the International Women’s Forum, and a board member and student journey chair for Zollege. She also serves on the GetSet Learning Board of Advisors and is an active member of the League of Women Voters.
Awwad holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Southern Illinois University; an MBA from DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management; an Executive MBA from the University of Notre Dame; and a certificate in public policy from the University of Virginia’s Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy.
Key Highlights:
1. President & CEO of DeVry University; recognized as an innovative higher-ed leader
2. Known for cultural transformation, student-centered innovation, and expanding access
3. Leads institutional mission, academic integrity, employer partnerships, and workforce-reskilling initiatives
4. Former COO who modernized student support, improved success metrics, and reduced education costs
5. First female President & CEO in DeVry’s history
6. Nearly 20 years of leadership experience across multiple university departments
7. Founding member of Chief and member of the International Women’s Forum
8. Board member for Zollege, advisor for GetSet Learning, and member of League of Women Voters
9. Holds an MBA, Executive MBA, and public policy certificate from top institutions

Ashish Fernando

Host

Founder & CEO, EDMO
Ashish Fernando is the visionary founder and CEO of EDMO, a revolutionary educational technology platform that's transforming how people learn and grow. With over 15 years of experience in education and technology, Ashish has dedicated his career to making quality education accessible to learners worldwide. Before founding EDMO, Ashish held leadership positions at several prominent EdTech companies and worked as an educational consultant for Fortune 500 companies. He holds an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business and a Master's in Computer Science from MIT. Ashish is a frequent speaker at educational conferences and has been featured in publications such as EdTech Magazine, Learning & Development Today, and TechCrunch. He's passionate about the intersection of technology and human potential, believing that the right tools can unlock extraordinary learning outcomes for everyone. Under his leadership, EDMO has grown to serve over 100,000 learners globally and has partnerships with leading educational institutions and corporations. Ashish continues to drive innovation in personalized learning, adaptive assessment, and educational analytics.
Key Achievements:
1. Founded EDMO in 2019, now serving 100,000+ learners globally
2. Named 'EdTech Innovator of the Year' by Learning Technology Awards 2023
3. Featured speaker at Global Education Summit 2024
4. Published researcher in educational technology and learning analytics
5. Advisor to multiple EdTech startups and educational initiatives