John A. Pelesko, dean of the University of Delaware College of Arts
and Sciences (CAS), will step down this summer to become provost and
senior vice president for academic affairs at the New Jersey Institute
of Technology (NJIT), where he earned his Ph.D. in mathematical
sciences. His appointment is effective Aug. 1.
“On behalf of the entire University of Delaware community,
congratulations to John on this exciting new role at NJIT,” said
President Dennis Assanis. “For more than two decades, John has been an
invaluable contributor to the UD community in countless ways through his
teaching, research, leadership and dedication to students and
colleagues. I have deeply valued his insightful perspective and his
commitment to excellence. We will miss him, and we wish him great
success at NJIT.”
There will be a national search for Pelesko’s successor, with details forthcoming.
“As dean of UD’s largest and most academically diverse college, John
has inspired CAS to grow and thrive in new and exciting ways,” Provost
Laura Carlson said. “He helped position CAS for future success, and we
are grateful for his service to the University.”
Pelesko was named dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 2019,
after serving as interim dean for a year. During his tenure, he led the
program planning team for Building X, the state-of-the-art science
research and teaching facility now under construction on East Delaware
Avenue. Among his other accomplishments, he created the college’s
enrollment management team and undergraduate recruitment strategy,
resulting in CAS’ largest incoming class, and he worked in partnership
with departments and schools across CAS to recruit nearly 150 new
faculty. Pelesko also worked with the Department of Women and Gender
Studies to create the Center for the Study and Prevention of Gender
Based Violence and supported the elevation of the Department of Music to
the School of Music. In addition, he worked with the CAS Dean’s
Advisory Council to create alumni and peer-to-peer mentoring programs
for CAS students and launched the CAS Student Success Center that
provides both curricular advising and co-curricular support.
Commenting on his time at UD, Pelesko said, “For the past five years,
countless times I’ve begun remarks with ‘My name is John Pelesko and I
have the great privilege of serving as dean of the College of Arts and
Sciences.’ It has been a tremendous privilege and honor, and I will miss
being able to say those words. I am incredibly proud of the many
accomplishments of our faculty, students and staff, and I look forward
to hearing about all of the great accomplishments that I am certain lay
ahead for CAS.”
At NJIT, Pelesko will work to enhance its educational programs and
grow its research portfolio through federal, state and industry
partnerships. More broadly, he’ll work closely with NJIT President Teik
C. Lim and the Board of Trustees to identify, communicate and achieve
NJIT’s academic priorities.
In announcing his appointment, Lim said, “John’s extensive experience
as an educator and administrator as well as his familiarity with and
passion for NJIT’s mission will enable him to provide the academic
leadership that we need to fulfill our commitment to excellence and
global impact through education, research, economic development and
engagement.”
One of only 35 polytechnic universities in the United States, NJIT is
an R1 Carnegie Classification research university that offers more than
125 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
