Editor's note: The following email was sent to the Unversity Community on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025

Dear UD Community,

I hope your semester is off to a strong start and you're settling into what promises to be an exciting academic year.

It’s certainly a dynamic time in higher education and it will require all of us working together to navigate through the many challenges and uncertainties. We are very fortunate to have Dr. Laura Carlson step into the interim president role during this time. In a very short timeframe, Dr. Carlson has brought stability and focus to a number of key areas, as well as strong collaboration across the campus. We have been very impressed with her leadership.

Looking ahead, the Board of Trustees recognizes the importance of a robust and inclusive process to select the University’s next permanent president. To support this effort, we have engaged WittKieffer, a globally recognized firm that specializes in presidential transitions for colleges and universities, including stakeholder engagement, leadership assessment and recruitment. The WittKieffer team will facilitate this process and support the Board in assessing whether to appoint Dr. Carlson as the University’s next president or launch a national search.

Together, we have mapped out an expedited process over the next several months that will include several important components. We have formed a Presidential Advisory Committee composed of faculty, students, staff, and members of the Board of Trustees. This Committee will help guide the overall process, working closely with WittKieffer and the Executive Committee of the Board. The full membership is listed below, and I’m pleased that we have commitments from all 11 members.

An important step in this process is determining the key requirements and capabilities of our next president. This month, WittKieffer will host listening sessions across the UD community to gain feedback on the most important qualities and experiences needed for this critical role. Below is the roster of listening sessions, and we invite you to participate and share your input. For those who cannot attend a relevant session, we will also share an online survey that provides you with an additional opportunity to contribute. I highly encourage your participation.

The Advisory Committee, with guidance from WittKieffer, will review the feedback and make recommendations to the Board’s Executive Committee. In turn, the Executive Committee will consider all the information and input and make an official recommendation to the full Board of Trustees.

Our overall goal is to conclude this process timed with our December Semiannual Board meeting. We will keep you apprised of our progress.

Thank you in advance for your involvement in this vital effort!

On behalf of the University of Delaware Board of Trustees,

Terri Kelly, Chair, University of Delaware Board of Trustees

Presidential Advisory Committee Membership

Terri Kelly, Chair, Board of Trustees

Terry Murphy, Vice Chair, Board of Trustees

Bill Lafferty, Vice Chair, Board of Trustees

Debbie Hess Norris, Member, Board of Trustees and Unidel Henry Francis du Pont Chair of Art Conservation

Nick Marsini, Member, Board of Trustees

Kathleen Hawkins, Secretary/Treasurer, Board of Trustees

Carol Kissal, Interim Executive Vice President

John Jebb, President, Faculty Senate and Associate Professor, College of Arts & Sciences

Anu Sivaraman, Associate Professor, Alfred Lerner College of Business & Economics

Katherine Slough, President, Student Government Association

Stephanie Kuntz, President, Graduate Student Government

Opportunities to Provide your Input:

• Survey. This survey covers similar questions and topics to those discussed in the listening sessions. You are encouraged to complete the University of Delaware Input Survey even if you plan to attend or have attended a listening session.
• Listening Sessions. WittKieffer will facilitate 12 listening sessions. Below is the information and links for the four large group sessions. All other sessions will be scheduled separately with Zoom links sent directly to each group’s membership, including students.

Listening Sessions Schedule

Sept. 25, 2025

1–1:50 p.m.

Staff Zoom Session (any staff may join)
Meeting ID: 928 4488 0803
Passcode: 438665

2–2:50 p.m.

Faculty Zoom Session (any faculty may join)
Meeting ID: 916 5377 1953
Passcode: 175578

Sept. 29, 2025

10–10:50 a.m.

Staff Zoom Session (any staff may join)
Meeting ID: 973 9501 3367
Passcode: 581719

3–3:50 p.m.

Faculty Zoom Session (any faculty may join)
Meeting ID: 943 4248 3495
Passcode: 876641