Administration

Tom Apple

TOM APPLE is the Provost of the University of Delaware.  As the chief academic officer, he is responsible for the quality of the academic programs, the research and the scholarship of the University.  The Provost drives the success of the University's faculty members and students.  The Deans of the seven colleges report directly to him as do the Vice President for Student Life and the Vice Provosts for Research, Graduate and Professional Education and Libraries.  Dr. Apple is also a Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry. 

Prior to serving as Provost, Dr. Apple was the Dean of Arts & Sciences at the University of Delaware.  Dr. Apple came to Delaware from Rensselaer Polytechnic University where he served as Dean of Graduate Education, Vice Provost, and Interim Vice Provost for Institute Diversity.  Dr. Apple also served as Chair of the Department of Chemistry at Rensselaer and Professor of Chemistry.  At Rensselaer Dr. Apple was only the third recipient of the Trustees Outstanding Teacher Award.  Before joining the faculty at Rensselaer Apple was a member of the faculty at the University of Nebraska.  At Nebraska Dr. Apple twice received the Parent's Association Award for Outstanding Teaching.

Dr. Apple did his undergraduate work at Penn State University and received his doctorate from the University of Delaware in Physical Chemistry.  He did Post-doctoral work at Iowa State University, working in the Ames Laboratory supported by the Department of Energy.  Dr. Apple's research focuses on magnetic resonance spectroscopy applied to solid materials, catalysts, and polymers.  He has over 100 refereed papers and invited talks and he has garnered 13 Federal grants from NSF and NIH to support his research.  Dr. Apple has served extensively on review panels for the NSF, DOE and many academic institutions.

Mark A. Barteau

MARK A. BARTEAU is Senior Vice Provost for Research and Strategic Initiatives. In this role he is responsible for advancing the University's research enterprise, including oversight of six university-wide research institutes. Dr. Barteau also holds appointments and the Robert L. Pigford Endowed Chair of Chemical Engineering and Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry. He completed his undergraduate work at Washington University and received his master's and doctoral degrees in chemical engineering from Stanford University. Dr. Barteau received the University's Francis Alison Award in 2004 and was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2006. In addition, Dr. Barteau has won a number of awards from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), the Catalysis Society and the American Chemical Society. In 2009 he was named to AIChE's list of "100 Chemical Engineers of the Modern Era." Dr. Barteau previously served as the director of the Center for Catalytic Science and Technology, chairperson of the Department of Chemical Engineering, and founding Director of the University of Delaware Energy Institute. His research is aimed at the determination of reaction mechanisms and active sites in surface catalysis by metals and metal oxides. A goal of his research is to demonstrate the design of new materials and of new catalysts starting from the discovery of novel surface reactions, and thus to establish a new paradigm for the development of new catalytic technology for cleaner energy and chemicals production.

Nancy Brickhouse

NANCY W. BRICKHOUSE is Deputy Provost for the University of Delaware. She is responsible for undergraduate academic affairs and works with the Provost on the administration of academic policies and faculty appointment and promotion. Prior to becoming Deputy Provost, Dr. Brickhouse served as Interim Dean for the College of Education and Human Development, where she was Deputy Dean since 2009. She is also a professor of science education at UD and has served as Director and Associate Director for the School of Education. Dr. Brickhouse has provided leadership to the field of science education by serving as Editor of the premier journal in the field, Science Education. With support from the National Science Foundation and the Spencer Foundation, Dr. Brickhouse has conducted research and published widely on teaching about the nature of science and about access and equity to science education.

Dr. Brickhouse holds a B.A. in chemistry from Baylor University, an M.S. in chemistry and Ph.D. in science education from Purdue University. She was recognized as an Outstanding Science Alumnus from Purdue University in 2007 for her contributions to science education.

David L. Brond

DAVID L. BROND is Vice President for Communications and Marketing. Prior to this appointment at the University in April 2008, Mr. Brond served as Vice President of Marketing and Planning at the University of Maryland Medical System. Mr. Brond’s prior work experience also includes strategic marketing and management roles in a variety of organizations including GBMC Healthcare, GE, Ernst & Young, KPMG Peat Marwick and The Levin Group. Mr. Brond holds a BA degree in Economics and Geography from Bucknell University and an MBA and MHA from Duke University. Mr. Brond is an active member of the Renaissance Charitable Foundation Board of Directors and is Treasurer for the Delaware Press Association Board of Directors.

Jennifer (J.J.) Davis

JENNIFER (J.J.) DAVIS is Vice President for Finance and Administration. In this role she provides leadership for the University's financial operations, human resources functions, as well as budget planning and development, payroll and records management and the Office of Equity and Inclusion. Previously, Ms. Davis served as Cabinet Secretary-Director of the Office of Management and Budget for the State of Delaware. Prior to her current position, she worked for the State of Delaware since 1993, serving in such capacities as budget director, deputy secretary of education and associate secretary of education for policy and administrative services. Ms. Davis earned both her bachelor's degree in political science and her master's degree in policy analysis from Pennsylvania State University, through its integrated Undergraduate-Graduate Degree program. Ms. Davis is an active member of the WSFS Board of Directors and the Delaware Hospice Board of Directors.

Scott R. Douglass

SCOTT R. DOUGLASS is University of Delaware's Executive Vice President and University Treasurer. In this role he is responsible for administrative services, facilities, institutional research and planning, information technologies, finance, investments, campus and public safety and the Office of Economic Innovation and Partnerships. Previously, Mr. Douglass served as Vice President for Finance and Treasurer of the University of Pennsylvania, after twelve years at the Wharton School, serving first as Associate Dean and then as Senior Associate Dean for Finance and Administration. Mr. Douglass' prior work experience also includes serving as Secretary of Finance for the State of Delaware and Delaware's State Budget Director. After leaving state government, he chaired the Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council from 1993 to 2000. Mr. Douglass holds bachelor's and master's degrees in political science from the University of Delaware and has completed work in the doctoral program in political science/public administration at Syracuse University's Maxwell School.

Michael A. Gilbert

MICHAEL A. GILBERT came to the University of Delaware in July of 2007 as the Vice President for Student Life. Prior to his appointment at the University of Delaware, Dr. Gilbert served as the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs at the Pennsylvania State University, and has held various other administrative posts at the University of Massachusetts, Northeastern University, North Carolina State University, and the University of Wisconsin Madison. Dr. Gilbert earned his BA degree at the University of Vermont, a MEd at Michigan State University and a doctorate in education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Pierre D. Hayward

PIERRE D. HAYWARD is a Vice President and University Secretary. Prior to his appointment at the University in 1993, Mr. Hayward served as Senior Vice President and Corporate Affairs Division Manager at Delaware Trust Company in Wilmington from 1984 to 1993, and Executive Assistant to Delaware's U.S. Senator William V. Roth from 1974 to 1984.  He also served in the U.S. Air Force. Mr. Hayward is a 1970 graduate of Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut.

Carl Jacobson

CARL JACOBSON is Vice President for Information Technologies and Chief Information Officer.  Mr. Jacobson is a 1972 graduate of the University of Delaware.  After teaching mathematics and computer science in the Newark School District, he began his career at the University in 1978 and has held various positions during his time at the University.  Mr. Jacobson has served on the boards of a number of national information technology organizations.

Bernard Muir

BERNARD MUIR joined the University as Director of Athletics and Recreation Services in May 2009. Previously, Mr. Muir served as director of athletics (Francis X. Rienzo Chair) at Georgetown University. Before joining the athletics administration at Georgetown, Mr. Muir served as deputy director of athletics/administration and facilities at the University of Notre Dame where he also served as senior associate athletic director for student welfare and development and as associate athletic director for student welfare and development. Mr. Muir's prior work experience includes operational positions for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as director of operations and as assistant director of the Division I men’s national basketball championship. Mr. Muir earned a bachelor's degree in organizational behavior and management from Brown University and a master’s in sports administration from Ohio University. As an undergraduate at Brown University Mr. Muir was a four-year letter winner and co-captain of the men’s basketball team his senior year.

David Singleton

DAVID SINGLETON is Vice President for Facilities and Auxiliary Services. Previously, Mr. Singleton served as chief administrative officer for New Castle County government. Mr. Singleton’s more than 30 years of experience includes both public and private sector leadership roles. Mr. Singleton’s prior public work experience includes serving as secretary of finance in the Governor’s cabinet for the State of Delaware and as chief of staff for the City of Wilmington; his private sector work experience includes serving as head of corporate real estate for both MBNA and J.P. Morgan & Co, as executive vice president and managing director, respectively. Mr. Singleton is a graduate of Swarthmore College with a BA in sociology and anthropology. Mr. Singleton serves as chair of the Wilmington Friends School Board of Directors and is on the board of the Delaware Performing Arts Center and Swarthmore College.

Monica Taylor

MONICA TAYLOR joined the University as Vice President for Development & Alumni Relations in September of 2007. Previously, Ms. Taylor served as executive director of external affairs of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. In this role, she oversaw alumni relations programming worldwide for Wharton's undergraduate and graduate alumni and managed the operations for the Wharton School's Campaign for Sustained Leadership. Ms. Taylor's prior work experience includes development positions for the University of Pennsylvania, the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, the U.S. Olympic Committee and Georgetown University's alumni and university relations office. Ms. Taylor is a graduate of Georgetown University, and holds a law degree from the James E. Beasley School of Law at Temple University. Ms. Taylor is an active member of the Artisan's Bank Board of Directors.

Lawrence White

LAWRENCE WHITE was appointed Vice President and General Counsel in July of 2009. In this role he serves as chief legal counsel at the University and works on a variety of law-related and policy-making issues ---including litigation, compliance, risk management, internal audit, employment, and business and commercial transactions.  Mr. White's prior work experience includes serving as: Chief Counsel to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, University Counsel at Georgetown University, Deputy General Counsel at the University of Virginia, counsel to the University System of Maryland, and Associate Secretary and Assistant Counsel at the American Association of University Professors. A frequent speaker, lecturer, writer and consultant on higher education issues, Mr. White has also served as an adjunct faculty member at Georgetown University, the University of Pennsylvania Law School and The Wharton School of Business.  Mr. White is a graduate of Harvard University and holds a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

Patricia Plummer Wilson

PATRICIA PLUMMER WILSON is Vice President and Chief of Staff, a position she assumed on July 1, 2007.   Prior to this appointment at the University of Delaware, Ms. Wilson served as the Chief of Staff and Director of Faculty Administration at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.  Ms. Wilson has over 20 years experience in higher education administration and has held administrative posts at the University of Michigan and University of Chicago.  She earned her BA degree in psychology with a minor in education, from Newton College of the Sacred Heart (now Boston College) and received a certificate in higher education administration at the Institute for Women in Higher Education at Bryn Mawr College in Bryn Mawr, PA.   Since 1994, Ms. Wilson has served as a board member of the Ardmore Free Library in Ardmore, PA.