Experience

University of Michigan - Center for Academic Innovation

• United States
• Higher Education
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Founding Executive Director, Center for Academic Innovation

  • Sep 2019 - Present

  James DeVaney is a longtime advocate for the transformative power of design and innovation in higher education. He currently serves as the Associate Vice Provost for Academic Innovation at the University of Michigan. He is also the Founding Executive Director for the Center for Academic Innovation. In this capacity, he works at the intersection of strategy, design, policy, and technology on a variety of University-wide programs and initiatives. James is the architect of U-M’s academic… Show more James DeVaney is a longtime advocate for the transformative power of design and innovation in higher education. He currently serves as the Associate Vice Provost for Academic Innovation at the University of Michigan. He is also the Founding Executive Director for the Center for Academic Innovation. In this capacity, he works at the intersection of strategy, design, policy, and technology on a variety of University-wide programs and initiatives. James is the architect of U-M’s academic innovation strategy, positioning the institution as a global leader in academic innovation in order to create and inspire change in higher education and to reinforce an engaged and informed society. James works with university leadership, faculty, administrators, students, and alumni to extend U-M’s academic excellence, expand the institution’s public purpose, and foster equity and inclusivity in higher education. He also works on a range of multi-institutional initiatives to help build a nationwide network of academic innovation. James is a frequent speaker on innovation in higher education and is a member of the Advisory Committee of the National Center for Institutional Diversity (NCID), the Coursera Council, the FutureLearn Partnership Advisory Group, the Noodle Advisory Board, and the edX Policy Committee. He is also a strategic advisor to several companies in the edtech industry. On occasion, James consults for other universities, educational organizations, and governments on digital strategy, global engagement, policy and organizational design.

• Associate Vice Provost for Academic Innovation

  • Jun 2015 - Present

• Assistant Vice Provost for Digital Education and Innovation

  • Jan 2014 - May 2015



2U

• United States
• Education Administration Programs
• 700 & Above Employee

• Advisory Council Member

  • May 2022 - Present



Noodle

• United States
• Education Administration Programs
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Advisor

  • Mar 2022 - Present



Outlier.org

• United States
• E-Learning Providers
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Advisor

  • Jun 2021 - Present



Coursera

• United States
• E-Learning Providers
• 700 & Above Employee

• Advisory Council Member

  • Feb 2016 - Present



FutureLearn

• United Kingdom
• E-learning
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Advisory Council Member

  • Oct 2019 - Sep 2022



edX

• United States
• E-Learning Providers
• 500 - 600 Employee

• Advisory Council Member

  • Sep 2015 - Oct 2020



1EdTech Consortium

• United States
• Information Technology & Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Executive Strategic Council Member

  • Jun 2014 - Jun 2018



Huron

• Business Consulting and Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Director, Global Education & Advisory Services

  • Jan 2014 - Jan 2014

  James was a Senior Director at Huron Consulting Group where he co-founded the firm’s Global Education and Digital Education practices. Between 2008 and 2011 he lived in the United Arab Emirates where he established the firm's presence in the Middle East. James has worked with more than 50 universities in more than 15 countries across the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, Australia, and North America, including: Cornell University, Georgetown University, Hamad bin Khalifa University, Imperial… Show more James was a Senior Director at Huron Consulting Group where he co-founded the firm’s Global Education and Digital Education practices. Between 2008 and 2011 he lived in the United Arab Emirates where he established the firm's presence in the Middle East. James has worked with more than 50 universities in more than 15 countries across the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, Australia, and North America, including: Cornell University, Georgetown University, Hamad bin Khalifa University, Imperial College London, Indiana University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Monash University, Northwestern University, Tufts University, University of Chicago, University of Michigan, University of Warwick, University of Wisconsin System, and Yale University. With established relationships with more than 250 universities around the world, James has global experience helping institutions adapt to market forces in ways that increase quality, strengthen research, enhance student experience and widen access. James helps mission-driven educational institutions improve performance and build on their traditions of extraordinary achievement and has experience working with a range of established research universities, start-up institutions and international branch campuses around the world.

• Director, Global Education & Advisory Services

  • Jan 2010 - Dec 2013

• Director, Middle East Operations

  • Sep 2008 - Jan 2010

• Manager, Higher Education

  • Jan 2007 - Sep 2008

• Associate, Higher Education

  • Nov 2005 - Dec 2006



William Davidson Institute

• Research Associate, Emerging Market Economies

  • Jan 2005 - Sep 2005



World Resources Institute

• United States
• Think Tanks
• 700 & Above Employee

• Independent Consultant

  • May 2005 - Aug 2005



Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE)

• United States
• Education Administration Programs
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Summer Associate

  • May 2004 - Aug 2004



Enterprise Foundation

• Graduate Fellow for Affordable Housing

  • May 2003 - Aug 2003



Genpact Headstrong Capital Markets

• United States
• IT Services and IT Consulting
• 700 & Above Employee

• Associate

  • 2001 - 2002



PwC

• Professional Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Summer Intern, Data Services Group

  • May 2000 - Sep 2000