​Former Dean of the Defense Acquisition University Capital and Northeast Region, Joanne Schoonover, has been named as the university's next Vice President. In this position, she is responsible for aligning DAU strategic plans to
the goals of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, and continuing to build the
outstanding reputation of the university.

In her previous capacity, Schoonover was responsible for training more than 40,000 defense acquisition professionals within the Capital and Northeast Region and ensuring customers had appropriate access to the services provided by DAU.
 
Prior to joining the university, Schoonover served as an industry executive with the Raytheon Company and represented the firm as a member of the National Security Space Committee of the Aerospace Industries Association and the Government Electronics and Information Technology Association.
Schoonover retired from the U.S. Air Force as a colonel with 26 years of service, including over 21 years in acquisition and program management, including a term as the Senior Military Advisor to the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics.

Schoonover holds masters degrees in Systems Management from the University of Southern California Engineering and in National Resource Management from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. She was also a Fellow in the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government for Senior Executives.