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David T. Vacchi, Ph.D.

Associate Professor College Leadership and Administration
Lt. Col., U.S. Army, Retired
David T. Vacchi faculty photo

Biography

Dr. David Vacchi, is a higher education professional with over 20 years’ experience in administrative and faculty positions in residential, distance, and hybrid programs. A nationally recognized expert in the areas of student veteran success and qualitative research, he has overseen the doctoral research of over 50 candidates. His book, entitled Straight Talk for Veterans, is an evidence-based handbook intended to help veterans successfully transition to higher education or the workplace. A seasoned leader and Army Field Artillery combat veteran, he has a reputation of creating success at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels during his military and higher education careers.

Contact Information

(401) 856-5127
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/David-Vacchi?ev=hdr_xprf

Areas of Expertise

  • Artillery
  • Ethics
  • Intel
  • Iraq
  • JPME
  • Koreas
  • Leadership
  • WMD

Professional Highlights

2019

Dissertation Chair and Qualitative Methods Expert

Faculty member in the Education Ph.D. program at Liberty University - supervised the doctoral research of over 50 candidates. Revised the Qualitative course curriculum and doctoral process to facilitate more rapid completion of dissertations at a higher quality level.
2017

Director of Curriculum Development

One year contract to revise the curriculum of the graduate programs at SANS Technology Institute.
2015

Director of Veterans Services

Led the service and support of over 400 student veterans and their dependents at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
2009

Adjunct Professor

Taught topical electives in the Commonwealth Honors College at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
2008

Director, EUSA Operational Fires Directorate

Led the reestablishment of the Eighth US Army's Fires Directorate after nearly 20 years being offline. Facilitated the ROK JCS assumption of lead responsibility for the defense of the Korean Peninsula.
2005

Professor of Military Leadership

Led one of the most successful Army ROTC battalions in the nation, with a 60% Distinguished Military Graduate rate.
2004

Battalion Executive Officer, 2nd Bn, 20th Field Artillery, Fort Hood, TX

2003

Battalion Operations Officer, 3rd, Bn, 16th Field Artillery, Husseinia, Iraq

2002

J3 US Embassy Liaison Officer, Combined-Joint Task Force Consequence Management, Camp Doha, Kuwait

2001

Student, US Army Command and General Staff Officers’ Course

Education

Ph.D., University of Massachusetts (Amherst), 2018, Higher Education Administration

M.S., Central Michigan University, 1997, Administration

B.S., Purdue University, 1988, Organizational Leadership and Supervision

C.V. or Resume

Research Contributions and Publications

Campus Veteran Friendliness: Feasible, Folly, or What?
HigherEd Military, 2021

Veterans are Not Struggling in Higher Education
HigherEd Military, 2021

Straight Talk for Veterans: A Guide to Success in College
Straight Talk Press, 2020

Adjusting to the Classroom and Academic Rigor
From "Straight Talk for Veterans: A Guide to Success in College"
Straight Talk Press, 2020

Conceptual Models of Student Veterans’ College Experiences
From "Researching Student Veterans on Campus New Directions for Institutional Research"
Jossey Bass, 2017

Creating a Welcoming Environment for Veterans in Higher Education
Association of American Colleges & Universities, 2016

Student Veterans in Higher Education
From "Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research (Vol. 29)
Springer, 2014

Student Veteran Success in Higher Education
From "Increasing Adult Learner Persistence and Completion Rates: A Guide for Student Affairs Leaders and Practitioners"
NASPA, 2014

Awards and Decorations

Legion of Merit

Bronze Star

Meritorious Service Medal
Six Time Recipient

DON Civilian Service Achievement Medal

Material and external links contained herein are made available for the purpose of peer review and discussion and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Naval War College, Department of the Navy or the Department of Defense.