May 4, 2022

Dear UD Community,

Over the past several months, the University of Delaware has conducted a nationwide search for our next provost to succeed Robin Morgan, who announced last summer that she would be retiring this year. Provost Morgan has made significant and lasting contributions to UD as a faculty member and administrator for more than 35 years, and we are all deeply grateful for her scholarship, leadership and friendship during that time.

Today, I am thrilled to announce that the University will welcome Laura Carlson, a distinguished educator and leader at the University of Notre Dame, as our 12th Provost, effective June 8. Dr. Carlson, whose academic expertise is in psychology, brings extensive and impressive experience in research, scholarship, teaching and administration to this important role as UD’s chief academic officer. At Notre Dame, she demonstrated a strong commitment to student success, diversity, and strategic planning. As UD provost, Dr. Carlson will be instrumental in helping to advance our renewed strategic plan, Forward and Forever, and continuing the progress and momentum that we as a community have achieved over the past several years.

I am grateful to the members of the Provost Search Advisory Committee, co-chaired by Gary Henry and Cathy Wu, for their diligence, commitment and invaluable assistance in identifying our next provost among an outstanding pool of candidates. I also want to thank our deans, chairs and directors, faculty, students, administrators and staff who interviewed the finalists and provided valuable feedback.

Dr. Carlson is joining our vibrant institution, one that is in a strong position to seize new opportunities and address whatever challenges may lie ahead. I am confident that she will soon experience the boundless optimism and hospitality of the Blue Hen community.

Please join me in warmly welcoming Dr. Carlson to the University of Delaware.

Sincerely,

Dennis Assanis President