University of Delaware President Dennis Assanis announces he is leaving his post.
Assanis announced Monday he will step down on June 30.
He is UD’s 28th president, and he has been in the position since 2016.
In a statement, he said he treasures his experience leading UD, calling it a “remarkable place with a vibrant culture of interdisciplinary inspiration to reimagine what’s possible in higher education.”
During his tenure, Assanis collaborated with other UD leaders to advance the Forward and Forever strategic plan, focusing academic excellence and student success and expanding world-class research, scholarship and innovation.
UD is now ranked #26 among 500 U.S. colleges and universities which is 60 spots higher than the year before and #10 out of 235 public universities in the Wall Street Journal/Pulse Rankings
It is also ranked #86 out of 434 national universities by U.S. News & World Report in 2024-2025.
His time as president at UD has seen growth with the STAR Campus being developed with more than 1.2 million square feet of new buildings added. More than 3,000 people work at those buildings.
UD Board of Trustees Chair Terri Kelly praised Assanis in a statement, “His tireless commitment and bold vision have been transformative, advancing the University to new levels of accomplishment, promise and potential. As we look ahead to the next chapter in the University’s leadership, President Assanis’ legacy of purpose-driven, positive change will forever have an impact on UD’s continued future of institutional excellence.”
Kelly says an announcement of an interim president to start on July 1 will be coming soon.
