Dr. Kelly J. Ward – COL USA (Ret.)

Interim Dean of Faculty and Academic Programs

National War College

Dr. Kelly John Ward joined the faculty of the National War College in July 2014, and was immediately selected as Associate Dean of Academics that October. He teaches the “Foundations of Strategic Leadership” course, and the “U.S. Domestic Context” course, as well as electives in National Security Economics.  His regional study area for the upcoming academic year is Israel/Palestine.

Dr. Ward retired from the U.S. Army after a 26-year career as an Armor/Cavalry officer.  His final assignment was as the Director, Commander’s Action Group (CAG), for the Army Surgeon General and MEDCOM Commander. Ward served previously as a Professor of Economics and the Course Director for the “Economics of National Security Strategy” core course at The Eisenhower School, National Defense University. He also served previously as the Chief of Business Operations, Army Office of 
Business Transformation, Office of the Under Secretary of the Army. Colonel Ward was an Academy Professor of Systems Engineering and Acquisition Systems Management at the United States Military Academy from 2007-2010, and an Assistant Professor of Economics from 1998- 2000. COL(R) Ward’s overseas assignments include Germany, Kuwait, and Iraq. His civilian education includes a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Cornell University, and a PhD in Applied Economics from The Pennsylvania State University.

FUNCTIONAL EXPERTISE:  Behavioral and Environmental Economics, Health Economics, and Bureaucratic Incentives and Stewardship.

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