The University of Delaware Board of Trustees announced a fast-track process to determine whether the current interim President should be appointed to the role permanently.
In a letter to the university community, the board, headed by Terri Kelly, praised the work of interim President and former Provost Laura Carlson.
The board stopped short of the usual national search earlier this year when Carlson, 60, was appointed to the interim role after the departure of Dennis Assanis.
Assanis, 66, went on to become the chancellor at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Carlson came to the Newark campus after a career spanning more than two decades at Notre Dame University in South Bend, IN. In her last post at Notre Dame, she headed the graduate school.
"We are very fortunate to have Dr. Laura Carlson step into the interim president role during this time. In a very short timeframe, Dr. Carlson has brought stability and focus to a number of key areas, as well as strong collaboration across the campus. We have been very impressed with her leadership," trustees wrote.
Assanis' departure came at a time when other top UD officials had moved on, leading to concerns about the university being rudderless. Assanis' final years were marked by budget shortfalls facing many universities and strained relations with faculty.
Assanis was credited with building the university's endowment, but took heat for launching new construction at a time when older university buildings were in need of upgrades.
Earlier, an overhaul of UD's administrative offices was launched with Assanis moving to a high rise office on the new STAR Campus.
Trustees have hired WittKieffer, a firm that assists colleges and universities in presidential transitions.
WittKieffer will support the board in assessing whether to appoint Carlson as the university's next President or launch a national search, the letter noted.
Trustees have formed a Presidential Advisory Committee made up of faculty, students, staff, and members of the Board of Trustees.
This month, WittKieffer will host listening sessions in the UD community to gain feedback.
The Advisory Committee, with guidance from WittKieffer, will review the feedback and make recommendations to the Board's Executive Committee. In turn, the Executive Committee will consider all the information and input and make an official recommendation to the full Board of Trustees.
"Our overall goal is to conclude this process timed with our December Semiannual Board meeting. We will keep you apprised of our progress," Trustees wrote.
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