Dean’s Funds directly strengthen the College of Arts and Sciences

At the University of Delaware, I’m inspired by the extraordinary range of opportunities available to our students—and by how often those opportunities begin with a simple question. A College of Arts and Sciences education is built on that impulse to ask, explore and connect. Those questions drive discovery, creativity and the critical thinking our world needs most.

Our students learn to approach problems from multiple perspectives—a chemical biologist considers the impacts of new gene editing probes, a political scientist analyzes polling data, a poet explores the human condition through writing. This is what happens when the arts, humanities, natural sciences and social sciences meet under one roof: curiosity becomes capacity, and students develop the intellectual agility that sustains them long after graduation.

Curiosity, however, needs access, opportunity and guidance to thrive. That’s why we’re investing intentionally in the future—to sustain what we do best and ensure every student and scholar can reach their potential.

Why We Invest

Our graduates enter a complex, fast-changing world that demands adaptability, creativity and empathy. The College of Arts and Sciences has long cultivated those qualities, but continuing to do so for every student requires purposeful support.

We invest because talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. Because a student’s path should be shaped by curiosity, not financial constraint. Because great teaching and bold research happen when faculty and students have the mentorship and resources to turn ideas into impact. Our goal is simple: to make a UD College of Arts and Sciences education both excellent and accessible—for today’s students and generations to come.

Building a Future of Access and Impact

At UD, learning is hands-on and connected to the world. Students conduct research, write policy proposals, curate art and develop technologies that address real needs. Through the Student Success Fund and Scholarship Fund, we ensure these experiences are open to all, so discovery becomes a promise, not a privilege.

Access also means mentorship. Faculty open doors to new ideas and opportunities. The Faculty Excellence Fund helps us recruit and retain outstanding educators whose teaching and mentorship strengthen our community.

Fueling Discovery

Our faculty and students explore how art heals, how data reveals inequality and how ecosystems adapt to climate stress. The Research & Discovery Fund supports these projects, pushing the boundaries of knowledge and creating real-world solutions. The Dean’s Strategic Fund ensures we can meet emerging needs and launch new initiatives that empower students and faculty alike.

Honoring the Transformative Power of Education

Every student deserves the chance to ask big questions—and to follow them wherever they lead. Our investments sustain that promise: recruiting top faculty, expanding research, removing barriers to learning and helping students find their purpose.

A Promise for Tomorrow

What we’re building is more than programs—it’s a vision where access to knowledge creates opportunity, and opportunity leads to impact. The questions our students ask today will shape the answers our world needs tomorrow.