University of Delaware President Dennis Assanis announces resignation

University of Delaware President Dennis Assanis announced Monday he will step down from his role at the end of June, concluding a nine-year tenure that saw record growth in research, student success, and institutional rankings.

Assanis, who became UD’s 28th president in 2016, said he and his wife, Eleni, are filled with gratitude for their time at the university.

“My wife, Eleni, and I are so grateful to everyone in the University of Delaware community, whom it has been my distinct honor to serve as president,” he said. “Our hearts are filled with gratitude and pride.

READ: Delaware artist Shefon N. Taylor explores memory and identity in new collage exhibit

Under Assanis’ leadership, UD launched its largest fundraising campaign in history, expanded research expenditures by more than 160%, and introduced wide-reaching initiatives to improve access and affordability for students.

Board of Trustees Chair Terri Kelly praised Assanis for his “bold vision” and “tireless commitment,” calling his presidency “transformative.”

An interim president will be announced soon and is expected to begin July 1, according to Kelly.

Highlights of the Assanis tenure

Assanis led the creation and implementation of the university’s “Forward and Forever” strategic plan, which emphasized student achievement, interdisciplinary research, and global engagement.

During his presidency, UD climbed national rankings, including a 60-place leap in The Wall Street Journal/Pulse 2025 rankings, where it currently sits at No. 26 overall and No. 10 among public universities.

The university also experienced significant enrollment growth.

Applications rose by 50% since 2016, reaching a record 41,000 first-year applications in 2025.

Financial aid nearly doubled, from $94 million to $185 million, and the university’s four-year graduation rate now ranks ninth among public R1 institutions.

Assanis championed initiatives such as the “First State Promise,” which covers tuition and fees for in-state students from families earning under $75,000.

Enrollment of Pell Grant recipients rose more than 34%, while underrepresented minority enrollment increased by over 30%.

In research, UD’s expenditures rose from $176 million to $466 million, bolstered by interdisciplinary growth and the university’s role in hosting the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL). A

ssanis also led efforts to strengthen AI research and support the arts and humanities.

More than 600 faculty members were hired during his presidency—nearly half of UD’s current faculty—expanding academic expertise and diversity across the institution.

The physical transformation of the campus was a cornerstone of Assanis’ leadership.

He spearheaded development at the Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Campus, now home to over 1.2 million square feet of new facilities and more than 3,000 employees.

Major projects included the Tower at STAR, the Biopharmaceutical Innovation Center, and the forthcoming SABRE Center.

Elsewhere on campus, Assanis oversaw new science and residence halls, renovations of core facilities like Warner and Worrilow Halls, and improved student wellness resources such as the Wellbeing Center and Center for Intercultural Engagement.

He also boosted UD’s athletics profile, overseeing stadium renovations, the new Whitney Athletic Center, and the university’s upcoming move to Conference USA and the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).

During Assanis’ presidency, UD raised more than $1 billion through its Delaware First campaign and an additional $270 million in the past two and a half years.

This included a $71.5 million donation—the largest in university history—from alumni Rob and Kathy Siegfried, which will fund Siegfried Hall and the Siegfried Institute for Leadership and Free Enterprise.

The 4-time MIT-graduate and Newcastle University undergraduate brought a distinguished background to UD, with previous roles as provost at Stony Brook University and faculty positions at the University of Michigan and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

A member of the National Academy of Engineers, he holds five patents and led over $100 million in research grants.

“UD is a remarkable place with a vibrant culture of interdisciplinary inspiration to reimagine what’s possible in higher education,” Assanis said. “I will forever treasure my experience of leading such an extraordinary institution defined by amazing students, talented faculty, dedicated staff and a vast network of loyal alumni and friends who support its mission.”