Brigadier General (Ret.) Dana Born graduated with distinction from the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colo., with a degree in behavioral sciences in 1983. She then completed her master's degrees in experimental and research psychology. As her career progressed, Born completed her Doctor of Philosophy degree in industrial and organizational psychology from Pennsylvania State University, Penn. In October 2004, she became the first woman to be presidentially appointed as Dean of the Faculty at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Born dedicated many years to the education of future leaders of the U.S. Air Force. She was a permanent professor and head of the U.S. Air Force Academy's behavioral sciences and leadership department. She commanded a 700-member mission element and oversaw the annual design of more than 500 undergraduate courses for 4,000 cadets in 31 academic disciplines. She also directed the operation of five support staff agencies and faculty resources involving more than $350 million.
Throughout her career in the Air Force, Born served in a number of staff assignments. She was an assistant director for Recruiting Research and Analysis in the Office of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Management Policy. She was an aide to the Secretary of the Air Force and Deputy Chief of the Personnel Issues Team in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel. She commanded the 11th Mission Support Squadron at Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C., and she provided personnel, education, training and family support to service members around the world. Born served in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. She also had the opportunity to serve as an exchange officer with the Royal Australian Air Force.
During her time in service, she received many accolades and awards, including the Legion of Merit, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Secretary of the Air Force Eugene M. Zuckert Award for Outstanding Management Achievement.
After 30 years of service, Born retired and transitioned to mentor and educate at Harvard University as a lecturer in public policy.