Dennis W. Devery
Dennis W. Devery has been named as acting vice president for Planning and Research at Thomas Edison State University, where he will play a critical role in the development and implementation of the institution’s next strategic plan and lead the Division of Planning and Research.
“Dennis has led a distinguished military career serving our country and advising top military leaders,” said Dr. George A. Pruitt, president of Thomas Edison State University. “He brings a unique blend of leadership and operational skills to the University and we are honored to have him on our staff.”
During his 30-year military career, Devery earned the rank of colonel and served in a variety of leadership capacities throughout the world.
Most recently, from March 2011 to January 2012, he served as commander of the New Jersey Army National Guard’s Joint Training and Training Development Center at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, where he led a team of training experts who provide strategic, operational and tactical instruction to U.S. military forces, state and federal law enforcement professionals and various allied military forces.
In 2010, Devery served as deputy director and chief of staff of the Afghan National Security Forces Development Assistance Bureau for NATO’s International Security Assistance Force in Kabul, Afghanistan, where he was responsible for the development and implementation of strategies to staff, equip and train the Afghan National Security Forces. In this capacity, he advised Gen. David Petraeus, former commander, U.S. Forces Afghanistan, and Lt. Gen. David Rodriguez, commander of International Security Assistance Force Joint Command in Afghanistan, on growth and development issues related to the Afghan National Security Forces.
In 2008 and 2009, Devery served as chief of staff for the New Jersey Army National Guard, where he oversaw the daily operation of 1,000 full-time and 5,000 part-time Army National Guard personnel in New Jersey.
Devery has also served as the director of Military Support for the New Jersey National Guard, where he coordinated military assistance to federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, and commander of Recruiting for the New Jersey National Guard, where he captured the largest market share of any service in New Jersey and was the top producing National Guard recruiting program in the region. He is trained as a helicopter instructor pilot, infantry officer, tank commander and paratrooper.
“I am thrilled to be at Thomas Edison State University because the school is an innovation leader in higher education,” said Devery, who earned a Master of Science in Management degree from the college in 2005. “I was impressed with the personnel at the college, especially their degree of professionalism and focus on meeting the needs of the adult learners.”
At the college, Devery will be responsible for guiding the strategic planning process as well as institutional data, research and quality assurance.
Devery earned a Bachelor of Science in Management from Rutgers University; a Master of Science in Management from Thomas Edison State University and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. He serves as a part-time lecturer for Rutgers University and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Rowan University. He has presented internationally on organizational leadership and serves a member of the Board of Governors for the YMCA of Burlington and Camden counties. Devery is a resident of Moorestown, N.J.
Toni M. Terry, BA