Dr. Tony Allen to become new DSU President, effective Jan 1

DOVER, Del. – A new chapter of leadership will soon take effect at Delaware State University.

On New Year’s Day, Dr. Tony Allen will become the school’s 12th President, succeeding Dr. Wilma Mishoe, who announced her retirement back in September.

Allen started at DSU in the summer of 2017 as Executive Vice President and Provost. Board of Trustees Chairperson Dr. Devona Williams says that since Allen arrived at the institution, he “has materially strengthened our academic and research enterprise.”

Williams also added that Allen “will definitely be a non-traditional president”, saying “his strengths in business operations, organizational development, and collaboration with stakeholders combine to give our University a transformational leader who will shape its future growth.”

Allen served as a speechwriter and Special Assistant for Joseph Biden, Jr. (then-U.S. Senator for Delaware) from 1997-2000. He has also served as a Senior Policy Fellow for the University of Delaware’s Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration from 2003-present. In addition, he was the founding President of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League from 2000-2004, worked for MBNA America Bank in Wilmington from 2000-2004, and served as a Communication Executive and then the Managing Director of Corporate Reputation for Bank of America from 2006-2017.

“Dr. Mishoe has done a great job, and we are so grateful for her tireless efforts. Tony has already distinguished himself as our Provost over the past two years, and I am sure that his enormous energy and vision will move DSU even further forward. Great things are happening at DSU, and it all matters!” said Dr. Alexa S. Silver, Chairperson of the University’s Faculty Senate and Professor of History and Political Science.