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Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations
University of Delaware
The University of Delaware (UD), founded in 1743, is the eighth oldest university in the country. UD’s storied tradition of academic excellence continues today in both the classroom and laboratory, with U.S. News & World Report consistently ranking UD among the top 30 public universities. Beyond our Georgian-inspired main campus in Newark, Del., UD has locations across the state–in Wilmington, Dover, Georgetown and Lewes.
UD is a state-assisted, privately governed institution and one of a select group of institutions in the nation to hold the triple Land-Grant, Sea-Grant, and Space-Grant designation, in addition to being an urban-grant state-supported research institution. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching classifies UD as a research university with very high research activity–a designation accorded less than 3 percent of U.S. colleges and universities. UD ranks among the nation’s top 100 universities in federal R&D support for science and engineering.
UD offers a broad range of degree programs: three associate programs, 140 bachelor’s programs, 121 master’s programs (with 15 joint degrees offered within) 61 doctoral programs through our seven colleges. Our student body encompasses more than 18,000 undergraduates, more than 3,700 graduate students and more than 700 students in professional and continuing studies from across the country and around the globe. UD’s distinguished faculty includes internationally known authors, scientists, and artists, including a Nobel Laureate, Guggenheim and Fulbright fellows, and members of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The University is fortunate to have an alumni base of 175,000, representing a unique and global ambassador community eager to support the University’s mission and pursuits.
In November 2015, Dr. Dennis Assanis was appointed the 28th President of the University of Delaware following a unanimous vote of UD’s Board of Trustees. In his inaugural address on December 7, 2016, President Assanis unveiled his vision for UD’s future, identifying five university-wide themes: 1) enhancing the success of our students, 2) building an environment of inclusive excellence, 3) strengthening interdisciplinary and global programs, 4) fostering a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship, and 5) investing in our intellectual and physical capital. As we strive to achieve excellence in all our missions, in an environment of operational efficiency, the University’s leadership is committed to greater collaboration among colleges and across disciplines. UD’s national teaching and research excellence drives pioneering interdisciplinary discovery, creativity, and scholarly achievement. The University of Delaware promotes an environment in which all people are inspired to learn and encourages intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, free inquiry and respect for the views and values of an increasingly diverse population.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the President and serving as a key member of the University’s senior cabinet, the incoming Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations (VP) will play a critical role in the success of the Institution’s future growth. Driven, strategic, and fully committed to enabling UD’s greatness through the launch of a historic campaign, the new VP must advance the expansive, aspirational, and innovative vision of the University. Working collaboratively with senior University administrators, colleagues and campus partners, the VP will help to tell the UD story in a fresh and compelling way to both internal and external audiences. This will require not only creative leadership, but also the skills and experience to move goals forward, realizing and executing a plan for Development and Alumni Relations. The VP will seamlessly connect with the new UD vision as she/he promotes a culture of philanthropy throughout the University community (and beyond), including alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, corporations and foundations, etc. The inspiring leader assuming this role must be savvy on industry best practices and well-versed in an integrated, multifaceted approach to fundraising. Critical to the success of aligning and executing strategies with philanthropic priorities will be a commitment to the University’s future that is propelled by energy and enthusiasm to compel others to action with knowledge, influence and stewardship.
