Vice President of Facilities, Real Estate and Auxiliary Services Peter Krawchyk will retire from the University of Delaware, effective Dec. 5, Interim Executive Vice President Carol Kissal announced. UD will begin a national search for Krawchyk’s successor.

Krawchyk has served as University Architect for more than 15 years, beginning in August 2010. He was promoted to his current role and joined the President’s senior leadership team in December 2015.

“Peter has contributed significantly to campus development throughout his tenure at the University of Delaware, thanks to his extensive experience in project and construction management as well as campus design and planning,” Kissal said. “We are deeply grateful for his leadership and commitment over the years. We wish Peter the very best in his retirement.”

Krawchyk commented, “It has been a privilege to serve the University of Delaware, an institution with such strong traditions and history. By far, the highlight of my UD career has been the people I’ve been fortunate to work with on any number of projects. I’m thankful to have collaborated with countless talented people who support UD in that way.”

While at the helm of UD Facilities, Real Estate and Auxiliary Services (FREAS), Krawchyk has overseen a robust portfolio that includes capital planning and investment, space management, maintenance and operations, real estate development, parking, and more. Krawchyk spearheaded the master planning for UD’s Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Campus to bridge research and academics with industry and community partnerships. He also oversaw new construction on campus properties, including Building X, which opened as an interdisciplinary science center in Spring 2025 to foster collaboration. 

In addition to his leadership of several key campus development projects, Krawchyk was also an instrumental contributor to administrative efforts focused on managing the University’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, helping identify and evolve spaces for testing and triage sites.

For Krawchyk, the challenge of leading campus design at an institution like UD is also its greatest appeal. It has required a respect for UD’s history, introducing new buildings or leading renovation projects amidst the backdrop of UD’s iconic Neo-Georgian architecture. The role, Krawchyk said, also required a firm understanding of the finer details associated with his work.

“The preferences of today’s students have changed from even 10 or 20 years ago,” Krawchyk said. “Contemporary students expect unique amenities, open concepts, shared and collaborative spaces, spaces with windows to allow for natural lighting. When it comes to our work, we try to put the student experience at the forefront of what we do.”

Earlier this week, Kissal also announced that Marcia Hutton will take on an expanded role as Associate Vice President, Campus and Enterprise Capital Planning, overseeing new enterprise campus planning for capital investment. She will manage campus planning, design, development and stewardship for the University. Both Real Estate and Sustainability will be consolidated under her leadership, and she and Associate Vice President for Facility Operations Tom Flood will report directly to the Executive Vice President.