Meet President Carlson

Dr. Laura Carlson,
University of Delaware's 29th president

Born into a strong family grounded in its Swedish heritage, Dr. Carlson learned early the importance of belonging, community, hard work and the power of education — principles that continue to shape who she is, how she leads and what she values. She earned her bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from Dartmouth College and began her professional life teaching fourth grade in a rural public school, before pursuing graduate study. She received a Master of Arts from Michigan State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Dr. Carlson spent 28 years at the University of Notre Dame as a member of the faculty in the Department of Psychology, later serving in senior leadership roles, including vice president, associate provost and dean of the Graduate School. In 2022, she became a proud Blue Hen when she joined the University of Delaware as Provost.

As president, Dr. Carlson is committed to a University that shows up — for Newark, Lewes, Georgetown, Dover, Wilmington, for every community across Delaware — advancing opportunity, inquiry and service for the public good.