Board Members

Sworn in on September 22, 2016

Dr. Debbie Harrington – a native of Portsmouth, Va., and currently a resident of Middletown, Del. – was appointed to a six-year term by the Board to succeed former Board Member James Stewart, whose term expired Aug. 31.  

In her Army career, Dr. Harrington was an expert logistician with 25 years of experience in international multi-modal transportation systems and infrastructure, procurement, contracts, facility management and supply distribution.

After her retirement from the U.S. Army in 2005, Dr. Harrington worked in the areas of nonprofit organizational management, community development and social justice.

She has served the State of Delaware in several capacities. She served on a task force established by the state General Assembly to study education for students with visual impairments. She also works with the Delaware Department of Visual Impairment on education and employment initiatives and serves on its Rehabilitation Advisory Council.

Most recently, Dr. Harrington has worked with the Delaware Department of Education to strategically plan for the education of students with low-incidence disabilities. She also is an appointed commissioner and chairs the commission that administers the State Use Law.

She has managed the Sanctuary at Kingdom Square, a mega Baptist Church in Landover, Md., and the Resurrection Center churches in Wilmington and Middletown. At those churches, she has conducted capital planning and extensive outreach opportunities in education and economic empowerment.

She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Norfolk State University in Virginia, a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University, Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, D.C., and a Doctor of Education in Innovation and Organizational Leadership from Wilmington University.

Sworn in on January 30, 2018 

Norman Griffiths served for 32 years as an in-house legal counsel for DuPont, retiring in June 2015. While advising DuPont officials and their clients on numerous areas of law, he also served 20 years (1992-2012) on the Wilmington City Council – 16 years as an elected councilman and four years as the council president. During that period, he served as the chair of the council’s Finance, Public Safety and Cable Communications committees.

The new University trustee brings abundant board experience with him. He has served on the boards of Delaware Technical Community College, the Riverfront Development Corporation, Wilmington Downtown Visions, Christiana Care Health Systems, Wilmington Economic Development Corp., and others.

He currently serves on the boards of Village of St. John, Inc., Salesianum High School, Delaware Solid Waste Authority, Westside Family Healthcare, Inc., and on the Governance Committee of Christiana Health Care.

Mr. Griffiths earned a 1980 Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from American University and a 1983 Juris Doctorate from Catholic University, Columbus School of Law, both schools in Washington, D.C. He currently is a member in good standing in the District of Columbia Bar.

First appointed by the Board in 2012 to succeed Dr. Richard Barros, who stepped down from the Board in mid-2012 due to term limits. Sworn in January 10, 2013.

John J. Allen, Jr. is Delmarva Power’s vice president responsible for Kent and Sussex counties in Delaware as well as the counties of the Eastern Shore of Maryland since 2005.

An employee of Delmarva Power for 32 years, Mr. Allen’s background includes Customer Care Leadership, Organizational Training and Development, Training Instructional Design and Development, Human Performance Technology and Performance Improvement, and he holds industry certificates for Strategic Leadership. 

Mr. Allen attended Lincoln University and Southwest Bible College & Seminary and holds Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Theology.                                   

Mr. Allen is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Beta Delta International Honor Society for Business, Management and Administration and is also a 2006 graduate of Leadership Maryland.

In civic and community service areas, Mr. Allen serves on the Executive Board of the Greater Salisbury (Md.) Committee, Salisbury Wicomico Economic Development, the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore and the Maryland/D.C. Utilities Association. He also serves as a board member of Nanticoke Health Services, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Board of Visitors, the University System of Maryland Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lower Eastern Shore, as well as a member of the United Way of Delaware Kent & Sussex Advisory Council.

Sworn in on September 21, 2023

Bill Collick’s legacy at Delaware State University includes the most coaching wins in the history of the Hornet’s football program and a successful stint as the university’s Director of Athletics.

For 12 years, Collick guided the DSU football program through the most celebrated period in team history.  During his tenure, the Hornet’s posted an overall record of 81-48 and captured five Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championships.  Collick’s teams averaged nearly seven wins per season and his winning percentage (.628) was among the tops in Division 1-AA from 1985-1996.  In addition, his 44 wins in the MEAC conference ranked second in the history of the league at the time of his retirement.

During his tenure as Head Football Coach, in the 1990’s, Collick’s teams would be the subject of some outstanding football comeback wins. The outstanding comebacks would begin with a win over MEAC rival Bethune-Cookman as the Hornet’s would storm back to win 56-42 after trailing the Wildcats 26-6 at half-time. Furthermore, in the same year Delaware State would storm back to defeat Liberty University and former NFL Head Coach Sam Rutigliano 38-37 after trailing 37-9 at the onset of the 4th quarter. In 1991, Delaware State would upset the 1-AA Champions Youngstown State in Alumni Stadium 33-29, coming from behind in the 4th quarter to win. The above trend would carry over in the 1992 season as Delaware State would defeat Grambling University 45-42 and legendary Black College and NCAA Coach Eddie Robinson at the Silver Dome in Detroit, Michigan. The Hornet’s would score in the 4th quarter to win 45-42 after trailing big in the game.

Under Coach Collick, a total of 63 Delaware State players earned All- American First Team honors; eight were named to various All-American teams and more than 20 signed professional football contracts.  Additionally, some of Collick’s former players have joined the ranks of high school and college gridiron coaches as well as careers in law enforcement, higher education, and business.

Working with his coaching staff and the DSU administration, Collick was instrumental in ensuring that the vast majority of his players earned degrees.  Also, an increasing number of Hornet players obtained advanced degrees during his tenure.

Bill Collick also earned the respect of his college coaching peers.  As a member of the American Football Coaches Association, he was appointed to serve on the NCAA Football Rules Committee as well as serving as Chairman of the MEAC Ethics Committee under Commissioner Charles Harris.

Prior to accepting the head football job, Collick served as DSU’s Wrestling coach and led the team to the school’s only MEAC wrestling title in 1984.

When appointed as Delaware State’s Director of Athletics in 1995, Coach Collick immediately committed himself to improving athletics facilities and support services for all Hornet athletes.  He co-founded The Hornet Club, an athletic fund raising organization for alumni and friends of the program.  Collick also helped organize the first annual Delaware State Celebrity Golf Tournament which became the major fund raiser to benefit DSU athletics.

Collick is well known for efforts on behalf of many charitable organizations throughout the area, including United Way of Delaware, the Delaware Arthritis Foundation, Faith Elementary School, Westside New Beginnings, YMCA, Muscular Dystrophy, and Big Brothers of Delaware. He is currently a board member of the non-profit organization (Pathways to Success) and the MERIT program, as well as, the Cape Henlopen School District, Habitat for Humanity, the Lewes Historical Society and the Rosa Health Center.

Collick has earned degrees from Wesley College (Associates Degree), University of Delaware (BS), and Wilmington College (M.Ed.).

In 1992, Collick delivered the speech at the University of Delaware’s College of Physical Education, Athletics and Recreation graduation ceremony.  He was chosen as a speaker after being selected as Outstanding Alumnus of the university.

Collick is a member of the following Halls of Fame: MEAC, State of Delaware Athletics, African-American (Delaware), Delaware State University as well as being named coach of the year in the MEAC, the Henlopen Conference and from the regional corporation of Nike clinics.

After leaving Sussex Technical High School in Georgetown, as the Dean of Students and Head Football Coach, Collick would return to his high school alma mater to take those same positions at Cape Henlopen High in Lewes.   Coach Collick has a history of re-establishing floundering schools and football programs by way of unifying groups of people towards common goals of excellence.  He is married to the former Nancy Gooch and they are parents of a daughter Dana and a son Billy, as well as grandparents of granddaughters Jaia, Ma’Kena, and Harper.

Sworn in on June 20, 2024

James L. Collins has served as the General Manager of Microsoft, a public sector industry, since September 2020, first in consulting services and later overseeing the company’s public sector industry activities. Under his leadership, a State and Local Government Industry Organization has been established to expand public sector business into the vertical areas of critical infrastructure and transportation, health and human services, public safety and justice, and public finance.

Prior to Microsoft, Mr. Collins served as Delaware’s Chief Information Officer from 2014 to 2020 under Governors Jack Markell and John Carney.

Mr. Collins has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Wesley College and a Master of Science in Managing Innovation and Information Technology from Champlain College in Vermont. He has also been a Henry Toll Fellow in the Council of State Governments.

Sworn in January 25, 2020

Sworn in on June 20, 2024

Dr. Janice E. Nevin has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of ChristianaCare since 2014. Before becoming CEO, she served in an ascending number of positions at ChristianaCare from 2002-2014, including Vice President of Medical Affairs, Senior Vice President of its Wilmington Campus, Chief Academic Officer, Chief Medical Officer, and Chief Patient Safety Officer.

Before her years at ChristianaCare, Dr. Nevin served at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital from 1987-1995, where she was the program director of its family medicine residency program for the last seven years.

Sworn in December 5, 2024

Mayor Michael S. Purzycki has made Delaware State University a part of his new public service chapter as he concludes his tenure as the two-term Mayor of Wilmington, Del. Under his mayoral leadership, almost $1 billion of private investment was injected into the economy of the City of Wilmington. In addition to overseeing the tremendous revitalization of Wilmington’s downtown and riverfront, $14 million was invested in the city’s neighborhood parks and public space under his leadership.

Before his years as mayor, Mayor Purzycki was the head of the Riverfront Development Corporation, which reinvented and reinvigorated the areas along the Christina River. He also served for 10 years as the Chairman of the Wilmington Hope Commission, the work of which led to the completion of the Achievement Center building, which helps formerly incarcerated men transition back into the community.

Mr. Purzycki graduated from the University of Delaware, earning a Bachelor’s degree in History, and was a school-record-setting receiver on its Blue Hens football team. He later completed Delaware Law School and was admitted to the Delaware Bar. He practiced law for over a decade, including serving as an attorney for the Delaware State Senate. He also was an elected New Castle County Council member for nine years.

He is the brother of Joe Purzycki, Head Coach of the DSU Hornets football team from 1981 to 1984.

Sworn in on June 16, 2016

John Ridgeway is currently the corporate manager of Toyota’s Eastern Territory Service Center, which is based in Owings Mills, Md. Prior to arriving at Toyota in 2006, Mr. Ridgeway spent two years as a senior vice president of Customer Service and Support for Bank of America. He also previously held director posts for Sears, Roebuck and Co. All told, the Delaware State University alumnus brings 24 years of corporate experience to the Board.

During his undergraduate years at then-Delaware State College, Mr. Ridgeway earned a B.A. in Business Administration.

Sworn in June, 16 2022

Chip Rossi is the Global Compliance & Operational Risk (GCOR) Operations Executive at Bank of America, one of the world’s leading financial services companies. In this role, Chip leads the oversight and execution of compliance operations for the GCOR organization.

Chip also represents the bank as the Delaware Market President, working to connect businesses, families and individuals to Bank of America’s banking and investment teams. He also leads the effort to direct the bank’s resources in the state to address local priorities and help build strong communities.

Formerly, Chip was the Consumer and Global Wealth & Investment Management (GWIM) Chief Risk Officer. In that role, he managed risk for the company’s business lines that serve individual clients with deposit, card, auto, home mortgage and investment-related products and services. He was responsible for providing independent risk oversight of the Consumer and GWIM businesses.

Chip began his career as a college intern and joined the company full-time in 1989 as a participant in the Management Development Program. He has held management positions at all levels in Collections and Credit, and also led the Loss Prevention team with accountability for credit and fraud losses. He later became the Credit & Underwriting executive for the company’s credit card portfolio, where he focused on the alignment of credit and risk strategies to ensure appropriate balance growth and risk mitigation. He was also Preferred Products executive, responsible for developing and managing consumer products that help make financial lives better for mass affluent customers and that reward clients for their relationship with Bank of America. Products included deposits, credit card, first mortgage, home equity and auto.

Chip serves on the boards of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, Delaware State University Foundation, ChristianaCare Health Services, the Grand Opera House, Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County, and Year Up Greater Philadelphia and Wilmington. He also serves on the William Penn High School Advisory Board, Delaware Technical Community College Development Committee and The Delaware Business Roundtable.

Chip graduated from Gettysburg College, where he majored in Management. He and his family live in Wilmington, Delaware.

Sworn in on November 30, 2023

Dr. Marlene A. Saunders, a DSU alumna and a longtime faculty member at her alma mater, has entered into a new chapter at Delaware State University by becoming a member of the institution’s Board of Trustees.

During the Board’s Nov. 30 Retreat meeting on campus, Board Chair Leroy Tice officially administered the Trustees Oath to Dr. Saunders, who was appointed to a six-year term on the governance body by Gov. John Carney. Dr. Saunders fills the Board seat previously held by former Trustee Lois Hobbs, who completed her two Board terms in January 2023.

Dr. Saunders’ relationship with her alma mater began more than 50 years ago when she enrolled as an undergraduate at then-Delaware State College, where she earned a 1967 Bachelor of Arts Degree. She followed that up by earning a 1972 Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Work.

After working in the social work field for a number of years, Dr. Saunders began her DSC teaching career in 1985 as a social work faculty member. She later completed a Doctor of Social Work in 2001. Her full-time faculty service continued at DSU until her retirement in 2014; Dr. Saunders also taught as an adjunct between 2014 and 2020.

A licensed social worker in the State of Delaware, Dr. Saunders is well-known among that professional community throughout the state and beyond. She has received the 2007 Service Provider Award from the Delaware Department of Corrections, the 2008 Social Worker of the Year Award from the Delaware Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, and the Humanitarian Award from the Wilmington Chapter of the NAACP. In 2021, the National Association of Social Workers recognized her as a Social Work Pioneer.

Dr. Saunders is a resident of Bridgeville, Del., where she has served as a Town Commissioner since 2020.

Sworn in December 5, 2024

Tetra S. Shockley, Esquire, is a law partner in Benton & Shockley Law, P.A., where she specializes in family law and personal injury. She graduated from DSU in 2004 with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management. She later completed an MBA in Executive Leadership at Wesley College. She graduated from Widener University School of Law in 2012 with a Juris Doctor degree.

Mrs. Shockley is a member of the Delaware Board of Bar Examiners, the Delaware State Bar Association’s Committee on Nominations, Delaware’s Court of the Judiciary’s Preliminary Investigatory Committee, and serves as the Vice President of the Kent County Bar Association. She is also licensed to practice law in New Jersey.

She is the author of The Solitaire: Set aside, Set apart, Set free, a 2017 inspirational book on how to push past the challenges of life to pursue one’s dreams. She is a Minister-in-Training at The Family Church in Voorhees, New Jersey, where she is a member.

Mrs. Shockley is an active and successful pageant competitor. In 2019, she was named Mrs. Cosmos United States and a three-time Mrs. Delaware America (2016, 2021, and 2024).

Sworn in on March 15, 2018

Jocelyn Stewart directs the community investment effort for Barclaycard US. Since the company’s founding in 2000, she has developed its community strategy and managed Barclays volunteer and financial resources to achieve Barclays’ community goals. She has created innovative partnerships with Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and the National Institutes of Health to create and evaluate entrepreneurship programs. She is also responsible for Barclaycard US compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act which is audited by the FDIC.

Prior to joining Barclays, Jocelyn worked for First USA Bank, where she started and led the event marketing department,  generating over one million new credit card accounts per year. She also founded and led “At Your Request,” a value-added concierge service for credit card customers.

Jocelyn is active in the community as the Chair of the Board for Teach for America Delaware and the Summer Collaborative, Vice Chair of East Side Charter School and on the Land Bank of Wilmington Board, Wilmington Leaders Alliance and Bright Spot Ventures. She was appointed by the Governor of Delaware to serve the Delaware State University Board, the Judicial Nominating Committee, Early Education and the Economy Committee and was past Vice Chair of the Early Childhood Council. She is a trustee on Christiana Care Health Services.