U.S. Sen. Tom Carper Visits DSU@Wilmington

Delaware Senior U.S. Sen. Thomas R. Carper paid an April 8 visit to DSU@Wilmington to be updated by DSU officials on the Kirkwood Highway location.

Sen. Carper met with DSU President Harry L. Williams at DSU’s northernmost location, along with Dr. Teresa Hardee, senior vice president and chief operating officer; Valerie Dinkins, DSU@Wilmington executive director; David Sheppard, general counsel; and Victor Santos, DSU director of Government and Community Relations.

DSU officials gave Sen. Carper a tour of the renovated section of DSU@Wilmington – seven modern classrooms with SMART technology and new University signage, along with other offices and a student lounge. The senator was then shown the unfinished portion of the building – a former Army training facility that was donated to DSU by the federal government. DSU moved from its former Market Street location in Wilmington and began offering classes at the facility in the fall of 2013.

The DSU officials shared with Sen. Carper the University’s vision for the yet unused portion of the facility and funding challenges that will need to be addressed.

Currently DSU@Wilmington – a highly customer-focused and student-oriented graduate studies facility – offers the following master’s degree programs: Educational Leadership, Public Administration, Social Work and Sport Administration.

In January 2016 this facility became responsible for administering all graduate admissions processes for the Dover and Wilmington locations. In the fall of 2016, DSU@Wilmington will also be the hub for support services for students who enroll in the DSU online undergraduate and graduate programs.

The facility houses some DSU Cooperative Extension Programs, which connect the New Castle County area with university knowledge, research and resources to address youth, family, community and agricultural needs. It is also the site of the National Special Education Advocate Institute, which offers Saturday courses to individuals and groups interested in working as advocates for children with special needs.

In addition to its academic and community programs, DSU@Wilmington is also a community asset for summer youth summer programs. The facility will be the site of the June 20-July 29 EDTech Summer Technology Academy that teaches new technology skills to at-risk youth and other young adults to help prepare them for future higher education and workforce opportunities.

The DSU@Wilmington location will also assist northern Delaware with its election processes. The facility will serve as a polling place for both the April 26 primary and Nov. 8 general election dates.