They occasionally compete on the athletic field, and sometimes they compete for the best and the brightest students and faculty members.
However, the presidents of the University of Delaware, Delaware State University and Delaware Technical and Community college say there is no competition when trying to do what’s best for the state.
Meeting at Governor Jack Markell’s (D-Delaware) Dover office, the presidents of Delaware’s publicly-supported colleges and universities signed an agreement to “leverage institutional partnerships in ways that will support, enhance and protect the future of the state of Delaware.”
The collaboration furthers the goal of having universities and colleges “drive the economic engine of the state,” Markell said, adding that he believes Delaware’s size will enable the schools to develop more opportunities that generate research grant dollars and, in turn, create more job opportunities.
According to University of Delaware President Patrick Harker, a large percentage of new business opportunities develop through research.
Delaware College and University Presidents Discuss Collaboration Agreement
DSU President Harry Williams says partnership with UD and DTCC will develop opportunities for faculty research and grant funding.
UD President Patrick Harker says the larger schools and Delaware Tech can work together for the benefit of local students and families.
DTCC President Orlando George says the schools are on the same page when it comes to helping students.
Delaware families and students will also notice the benefits of the enhanced partnership, according to the education leaders. If a student is not ready for the rigors of a four-year program, or if affording the tuition is a problem, he or she could attend the community college for the first two years.
“The collaboration between a great technical and community college and the universities will provide lots of options for families so that they can decide, along with their student, what’s best for them,” Harker said.
Harker and DSU President Harry Williams highlighted several programs under which students are educated at DTCC for two years, then transfer as juniors to DSU or UD.
DTCC President Orlando George said one current initiative is designed to address the shortage of mathematics instructors. Faculty at the three schools have developed generally-accepted practices and instruction methods. George said “we want to make sure that when we put out someone who is going to teach mathematics that they understand the concepts, and are good teachers.”
Williams has been DSU president for less than a year, but already sees established connections with the other two schools. “You can go back years, 30 years, and look at the relationships we’ve established,” Williams said. UD and DSU sponsored their first regional undergraduate student research conference in March.
Although in many ways the agreement merely recognizes longstanding practices among the three schools, Markell praised Harker, Williams and George for their commitment to developing partnerships.
“They have demonstrated not only a willingness, but they’ve really embraced the idea of working together for all of the people of Delaware,” the Governor said.
