Rick Deadwyler Jr., assistant vice president for government and community relations at the University of Delaware, has been named vice president for community engagement at the Delaware Community Foundation, effective Jan. 1.

In his new role, he will lead the foundation’s community engagement and civic leadership efforts, including oversight of various grant making and community investment programs.

“I am extraordinarily grateful for the experience here at my alma mater -- the University. I have worked alongside incredible colleagues, and I’ve had the chance to work on the institution’s most challenging issues and her most productive opportunities,” Deadwyler said. “I am thrilled to join the Delaware Community Foundation’s leadership team, and I look forward to engaging our community and civic leaders to support meaningful and sustainable impacts throughout the state.”

“Since coming to the University in 2013, Rick Deadwyler has been a great asset to the University, building stronger ties with state and local government leaders, as well as with community groups and friends of the University,” said Jeffrey W. Garland, vice president and University secretary at UD. “I know his many friends in the campus community will join me in congratulating Rick and wishing him well in his new endeavor.”

Before coming to UD, Deadwyler was state affairs manager for DuPont Government Affairs’ U.S. Mid-Atlantic Region for eight years. At DuPont, he was responsible for advocating for key public policy positions, pursuing business development opportunities, maintaining relationships with government officials and key community leaders, and providing leadership on various trade associations and industry boards.

Previously, he served as community relations director at the Delaware River and Bay Authority and held positions with the state of Delaware in education administration and juvenile justice leadership.

Deadwyler earned his bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Delaware in 1993, and he was a member and co-captain of the men's basketball team, which earned two North Atlantic Conference Championships and competed in two NCAA National Tournaments in 1992 and 1993. In 2000, he received his master's degree in elementary education from Wilmington University.

The mission of the Delaware Community Foundation is to build a shared vision for Delaware, grounded in knowledge, inspired by the common good and advanced through philanthropy. As a facilitator, information resource and manager of charitable funds, the DCF helps communities and philanthropists focus charitable resources for the greatest community benefit statewide.