Texas A&M University has announced the selection of John B. Sherman, an accomplished national security expert and Texas A&M alumnus, as the new dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service. Sherman, who has been serving as the Chief Information Officer for the U.S. Department of Defense since 2021, will begin his new role on August 1. He succeeds Gen. (Ret.) Mark A. Welsh III, who became the university president, and Dr. Frank B. Ashley III, who has been the acting dean since August.
Sherman brings with him 30 years of extensive experience in national security, having held senior positions at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). His expertise spans IT modernization, cybersecurity, data collection and analysis, organizational strategy, and international affairs.
“I’m tremendously honored and humbled to be selected as the next dean of the Bush School. Gen. Welsh and Dr. Ashley are leaving behind some pretty big boots to fill,” Sherman said. “The spirit of service and focus on preparing students for the future they instilled in the school will be our guiding light as we look to the challenges the next generation of leaders will face. Liz and I are excited to get back home to College Station and begin this next chapter in our lives.”
Sherman, a Distinguished Military Graduate of Texas A&M University, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. During his time at Texas A&M, he was a Ross Volunteer and served as commander of the Corps of Cadets. He also earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Houston. Following his graduation, Sherman served as an air defense officer in the U.S. Army’s 24th Infantry Division.
In his role as the Chief Information Officer at the Department of Defense, Sherman has been the principal adviser to the Secretary of Defense on matters of information management, information technology, information assurance, space systems, satellite communications, and telecommunications.
“When President Bush laid out his vision for the Bush School of Government and Public Service and the importance of preparing new generations of dedicated public servants, he thought of people like John Sherman,” said Gen. Mark Welsh. “John is a true public servant, having worked in government service his entire career, including 25-plus years in the U.S. intelligence community. He’s built an incredible professional reputation as a leader in public service and national security, but maybe more importantly, for how he treats others. He’s a great Aggie, and we’re incredibly proud to welcome him and his wife, Liz, back home to Aggieland.”
Dr. Alan Sams, Texas A&M Provost and Executive Vice President, expressed his confidence in Sherman’s ability to elevate the Bush School’s impact due to his extensive experience and leadership.
“Undoubtedly, John Sherman’s impact will be most profound on the educational experience for our students and consequently, their impact after graduation. He is the ideal choice to leverage his wealth of expertise, demonstrated leadership, and aspirational vision to lead the school in this time of extraordinary potential, elevating the success of our faculty and staff and the international prestige of the Bush School,” Sams said.
Throughout his career, Sherman has received numerous awards, including the Distinguished and Meritorious Presidential Rank, the Defense Intelligence Agency Director’s Award, the CIA Intelligence Medal of Merit, the Secretary of Defense Medal for Meritorious Civilian Service, and the NGA Meritorious Civilian Service Medal.
Sherman’s wife, Liz, is also an Aggie from the Texas A&M Class of 1991 and works in national security. They have two grown children, both pursuing careers in public service.
Sherman’s appointment is expected to bolster the Bush School’s reach and impact, preparing students to address the complex challenges of the future with dedication and resilience.