DeVry University Wins 2024 Chicago Innovation People’s Choice Award

Award highlights DeVry’s commitment to help bridge the educational divide and close the opportunity gap for women in tech

LISLE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DeVry University has received the prestigious People’s Choice Award at the 23^rd annual Chicago Innovation Awards for its Women + Tech Scholars program. The awards are one of Chicago’s foremost recognitions and celebrate the region’s most innovative organizations.

“This award celebrates DeVry’s enduring commitment to innovation and our purposeful focus on empowering students to excel in tech-driven careers,” said Elise Awwad, president and chief executive officer of DeVry University. “DeVry operates with a very specific purpose—to close our society’s opportunity gap and address emerging talent needs by preparing learners to thrive in careers shaped by continuous technological change. This recognition is a testament to the bold vision and tireless dedication of our faculty, staff, and students who are shaping a stronger, more inclusive workforce for the future.”

Women make up nearly half of the U.S. workforce, yet they remain highly underrepresented in the technology sector.¹ Recognizing DeVry’s strength in tech-forward education the university launched its Women + Tech Scholars program in 2021. The program empowers female students through mentorship, early access to job opportunities, credentialing and scholarships to take the first step toward a tech-focused career.

“The Chicago region continues to be a global leader in innovation,” added Tom Kuczmarski, who co-founded the Chicago Innovation Awards with journalist Dan Miller. “The 2024 winners are solving unmet needs and making a difference in healthcare, finance, the environment, artificial intelligence, education, consumer products, energy, manufacturing, social services, economic development, food, and government.”

In addition to meeting with business, civic leaders, local and state elected officials, DeVry University will join other winners to ring the Nasdaq Bell in New York City in 2025 as part of this year’s Chicago Innovation Award. The complete list of winners can be found here.

About DeVry University

DeVry University strives to close society’s opportunity gap and address emerging talent needs by preparing learners to thrive in careers shaped by continuous technological change. Founded in 1931, the university offers undergraduate and graduate programs onsite and online in Business, Healthcare and Technology. DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC, www.hlcommission.org/). The university’s Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation. To learn more, visit devry.edu

¹ https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/feature/Women-in-tech-statistics-The-latest-research-and-trends