Lieutenant Colonel Deborah Wilson represents the third generation in her family to serve as a military officer, but she’s a first at URI. She made ROTC history by becoming the first female to head the Military Science Program since it was established in 1894.

“I’m an Army brat,” the world-traveler says with a laugh. Commissioned in the Quartermaster Corps in 1987, she received distinguished military graduate honors from the University of Tampa. She earned a master’s degree in public administration from Troy State University in 1996.
She served in a number of key staff positions including Officer in Charge of the Emergency Operations Center in Coraopolis, Pa., after 9/11 for Operation Noble Eagle. Prior to arriving at URI, she completed a 13-month tour with 316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) in Balad, Iraq.

“Being at URI is a wonderful opportunity for me to return to an ROTC classroom and to be able to share my experience with the cadets and help prepare the next generation of leaders,” says the military officer, whose URI tour will last three years.