Derrick “Rick” Deadwyler, Jr., a longtime government affairs and civic leader with more than 20 years of experience, has been named Vice President for Public Affairs, effective Tuesday, Sept. 8.

In this newly created role, Deadwyler will oversee UD’s Government Relations team and Office of Communications and Marketing, and will serve as UD’s chief spokesperson and a trusted advisor to President Laura Carlson and the senior leadership team.

“Rick brings more than two decades of experience across government, Delaware industry and the nonprofit sector, and returns to a university he knows deeply. He understands that the work UD does depends on the partnerships and trust we build with legislators and the communities we serve. I’m glad to welcome him home,” Carlson said.

Deadwyler comes to UD from Corteva Agriscience, a longtime UD partner, where he has served as U.S. East Region Government and Industry Affairs Director for nearly a decade. In that role, he led media relations, crisis and issues management, and government affairs across the region. He previously served UD as Assistant Vice President for Government and Community Relations.

“The University of Delaware has been a significant part of my life. The opportunity to return and serve this institution, President Carlson, and the State of Delaware at this particular moment is one I do not take lightly. UD’s reputation and relationships depend on its ability to tell its own story with clarity and confidence. I’m honored to be a part of that work,” said Deadwyler.

About Rick Deadwyler

Prior to Corteva, Deadwyler served as Vice President of Community Engagement at the Delaware Community Foundation, where he directed statewide grantmaking and community engagement strategy. Earlier in his career, Deadwyler spent more than a decade at DuPont, where he led regional government affairs strategy and managed corporate communications and issues management across North America. He is deeply engaged in civic life, serving on several of the state’s most impactful business, trade, and community-service boards, including as past board chair of the United Way of Delaware, the Food Bank of Delaware, and Leadership Delaware, Inc.

Deadwyler earned a Master of Education from Wilmington College and his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Delaware.