Joseph Trainor, a member of the University of Delaware community since 2002, has been named interim dean of the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration, President Dennis Assanis and Provost Laura Carlson announced today. His appointment will be effective March 1. 

Trainor, who is currently deputy dean and professor of public policy and administration in the Biden School and a core faculty member in the Disaster Research Center, will  serve as interim dean through July 2025 during a national search for the next leader of  the school. That search is expected to begin in January 2025, with the permanent dean in place by August 2025. 

“Joe is an integral part of the Biden School and cares deeply for its people and its future, and I am confident that he will continue to provide steady leadership for the  Biden School during this transition period,” Assanis said. “I look forward to working closely with him and Provost Carlson as we advance the Biden School’s reputation as an educational leader in public policy and administration research, teaching and service.” 

Carlson commented that Trainor is highly respected by the faculty and staff of the Biden  School, as well as his disciplinary peers nationwide. 

“Joe has been a true servant leader within the Biden School,” Carlson said. “I am grateful for his enthusiasm to serve as interim dean, and I sincerely appreciate the other members of the community who also stepped forward to be considered for this role.” 

Trainor said he is honored to serve as interim dean. 

“I am proud of the work our faculty, staff and students do. The Biden School is a special place to me, and I am inspired by my colleagues’ deep devotion to educating the next generation of public service leaders, creating new knowledge, and improving communities here and around the world through direct public service work,” Trainor said. “I want to thank President Assanis, Provost Carlson and my colleagues for this opportunity to serve the University in this capacity.” 

About Joseph Trainor 

Joseph Trainor graduated cum laude from Millersville University with bachelor’s degrees in sociology and psychology. At UD, he earned a Master of Arts in sociology (2004) and a doctorate in sociology (2009).

He joined the faculty of the Biden School in 2009 and has served in multiple administrative roles, including director of the disaster science and management programs, director of doctoral studies, associate dean of academic affairs, and most recently as deputy dean.  

Since 2009, he has been a core faculty member in the Disaster Research Center at UD, where his research has focused on the human dimensions of disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. He has co-authored two books, 45 articles and multiple book chapters, research reports, presentations and other scholarly works. He has mentored dozens of students. 

His public service work has included partnerships with numerous agencies related to risk and emergency management, including the National Weather Service (NWS), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Department of Homeland  Security (DHS), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), and various state and local emergency management agencies. 

At UD, Trainor has led or served on multiple committees, including past work on UD’s Research Council and recent Strategic Planning Committee.