DeVito to develop initiatives to expand higher education access for military communities

Online, nonprofit, accredited Western Governors University (WGU) has appointed Emily DeVito as strategic partnerships manager for military outreach, to develop relationships throughout military-affiliated organizations and with individuals—active duty, military spouses and dependents, and veterans—to support workforce development through continuing education. At WGU, 13 percent of students are affiliated with the military.

DeVito comes to WGU with more than 12 years of experience working with military higher education and Department of Defense voluntary education programs. As an officer in the US Navy stationed in San Diego and Japan, she served as her ship’s educational services officer to counsel sailors on tuition assistance and G.I. Bill benefits and assist in college-level enrollment. She also administered the Navy College Program for Afloat College Education (NCPACE) while deployed overseas. For the past six years, worked in non-profit higher education military outreach, managing partnerships with external organizations focused on serving the military community and working with military-connected students to find degree paths to advance their careers and transition smoothly into civilian life.

“WGU is proud to be recognized as one of the best schools for military servicemembers, veterans, and their families,” said Rebecca Watts, Ph.D., regional vice president of the northeast region. “Emily’s role at WGU, and her passion to provide equitable education access to high-quality, low-cost competency-based degree programs to the military community, will make a positive difference in many lives.”

DeVito holds a B.A. in sociology from Boston University. She is a US Marine Corps military spouse and enjoys volunteering with military-minded organizations and veteran servicing organizations such as the USO and Operation Gratitude.

WGU offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the in-demand career fields of business, K–12 teacher education, information technology and health professions. For more information about WGU, visit www.wgu.edu.

About WGU 

Established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education, online, nonprofit WGU now serves more than 123,000 students nationwide and has more than 190,000 graduates in all 50 states. Driving innovation as the nation’s leading competency-based university, WGU has been recognized by the White House, state leaders, employers, and students as a model that works in postsecondary education. In just 23 years, the university has become a leading influence in changing the lives of individuals and families, and preparing the workforce needed in today’s rapidly evolving economy. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has been named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, and was featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News, CNN, and in The New York Times. Learn more at www.wgu.edu.