Faculty promotions

The University of Delaware Board of Trustees approved 89 faculty promotions during its semiannual meeting on May 11, 2026. Eleven faculty members received named professorships, including Carolyn Voter as the Brigid Hawk McVaugh '74 and John B. McVaugh Jr. '71 '75M Term Professor of Environmental Engineering, and Elizabeth Bickel Rogers as the Pao C. Chau Term Professor in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Other notable promotions included Freddie Patterson as Alumni Distinguished Professor in Health Behavior and Nutrition Sciences, and Amanda Jansen as Distinguished Professor in Teacher Education. Thirty associate professors were promoted to full professor with tenure across disciplines such as applied economics, history, physics, and political science. Promotions included Leah H. Palm-Forster in applied economics and statistics, Zara Anishanslin in history, and Kassra A.R. Oskooii in political science and international relations. The board also elevated six assistant professors to associate professor with tenure, including Jennifer Naccarelli in women and gender studies and Joshua Alan Enszer in chemical and biomolecular engineering. Twenty-nine assistant professors were promoted to associate professor with tenure, covering fields like animal and food sciences, art conservation, and business administration. These included Yihang Li in animal and food sciences and Joelle D.J. Wickens in art conservation. The promotions reflect the university’s commitment to recognizing academic excellence and fostering faculty growth. Additionally, the trustees noted 26 new faculty emeriti, a distinction honoring retired faculty members for their contributions. The decisions were made after evaluations by the university’s promotion and tenure committees, ensuring rigorous academic standards were met. This round of promotions strengthens the university’s research and teaching capabilities across multiple disciplines.