As executive director of strategic planning & data, Dewayne leads and supports project planning efforts for key initiatives that affect Tennessee Tech University's strategic planning efforts, providing documentation development, analysis, stakeholder engagement, project management, and communication about the process and results of strategic planning efforts. He also conducts requested research and provides findings to university administrators for use in strategic planning and communication efforts.

He has worked in the communication field for 30 years, with more than 20 years in higher education marketing communication. He has experience in journalism, public relations, and creative communication and design. 

He holds a B.A. in English and A.C. in film studies from Indiana University, and an M.A. in journalism/public relations from the University of Memphis.

His research interests include data communication, corporate reputation, customized marketing, and free speech. He has also served as an adjunct instructor in Tech's journalism department, teaching mass communication, news writing, advertising copywriting, intro to public relations, and magazine design and production.

Dewayne has been with Tennessee Tech since 2007, initially serving as the director of creative services before being named the senior director of public relations in 2016. In 2020, he was named to the strategic planning position.