As Chief of Staff, Col. J.M. “John” Young is responsible for coordinating the actions of the Institute’s primary staff officers and ensuring integration of all organizational and post operations, events, and issues.

Young was most recently chief of staff and vice chair for administration/assistant professor in the Department of Preventative Medicine and Biostatistics at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences’ F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, U.S. Department of Defense.

“Dr. Young brings a strong academic, management, and leadership background to VMI,” said Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins '85. “His service as a U.S. Marine, in the defense industry, and his higher education experience have prepared him well for the rigors of the Virginia Military Institute, and I am looking forward to his fresh perspective.”

Young earned a doctor of professional studies in information management from Syracuse University iSchool, an executive master’s in leadership from the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business, a bachelor of science degree in health systems administration from the University of Maryland Global Campus and a master teacher professional development certificate from the George Washington University School of Medicine.

He taught courses in leadership, research methods, health care management, and quality at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and the George Washington University, where he held joint faculty appointments in clinical research and leadership at the School of Medicine and in epidemiology and biostatistics at the Milken Institute of Public Health.

As a civil servant, Young was a senior advisor and policy analyst at the Department of Health and Human Services for over a decade. He served four years as a public member, Board of Directors, Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. Young also served as a U.S. Marine Corps reservist.”

"I am honored to be the next chief of staff at Virginia Military Institute,” Young said. “Maj. Gen. Wins has put forth a bold vision for VMI through his One Corps—One VMI unifying action plan. I am excited to join the Institute’s faculty, staff, and cadets in continuing to move VMI forward as one of the nation’s top institutions of higher education.”

Young will began his responsibilities as chief of staff on Monday, Sept. 20. VMI’s chief of staff is responsible for coordination, control, and integration of Institute priorities and issues. The chief of staff oversees VMI’s operations, financial aid, admissions, and communications and marketing efforts.

Young is originally from Chicago, Illinois, and is an active member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.