{"id":19206,"date":"2026-01-28T12:43:36","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T17:43:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/?p=19206"},"modified":"2026-03-02T10:46:46","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T15:46:46","slug":"wilmington-university-launches-college-of-sciences-and-engineering","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/2026\/01\/28\/wilmington-university-launches-college-of-sciences-and-engineering\/","title":{"rendered":"Wilmington University Launches College of Sciences and Engineering"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.kadence-column19206_b9e81e-d5 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);}.kadence-column19206_b9e81e-d5 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column19206_b9e81e-d5 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column19206_b9e81e-d5 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column19206_b9e81e-d5 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column19206_b9e81e-d5 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column19206_b9e81e-d5 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column19206_b9e81e-d5{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column19206_b9e81e-d5 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kadence-column19206_b9e81e-d5 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column19206_b9e81e-d5\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p><em><sub>Dr. Milton Muldrow, dean of Wilmington University\u2019s new College of Sciences and Engineering, is leading the College\u2019s interdisciplinary approach to preparing students for careers in science, technology, and innovation.<\/sub><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The launch of Wilmington University\u2019s new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/sciences-engineering\/index.aspx\">College of Sciences and Engineering<\/a> marks more than academic reorganization. It\u2019s a reflection of where higher education\u2014and the economy\u2014is heading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis is about creating a clearer academic home for students,\u201d says <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/directory\/healthprofessions\/milton-muldrow.aspx\">Dr. Milton Muldrow<\/a><\/strong>, who was named dean of the new college after serving as chair of Science, Biology and Environmental Science and Policy. \u201cScience,&nbsp;mathematics,&nbsp;computer science, and&nbsp;engineering&nbsp;work best when they\u2019re not operating in silos. The integration helps students see how what they\u2019re learning connects to real-world problems.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Planning for the college has been underway for several years, driven by University leadership\u2019s recognition that STEM disciplines are central to workforce development, research, and global competitiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A decade ago, when Dr. Muldrow arrived at WilmU, science offerings were limited, and no degrees were offered. Today, students can pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in fields ranging from&nbsp;biotechnology&nbsp;to&nbsp;chemistry. The new college formalizes that growth, bringing related disciplines under one academic umbrella and establishing science and engineering as a core pillar of the University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The timing is strategic. Government projections indicate that science and engineering jobs will outpace growth in other sectors through at least 2033, fueled by demand in technology, healthcare, clean energy, and artificial intelligence. Computer-related roles lead the trend, with cybersecurity projected to grow by 33% and software development by 17%. Industrial engineering is expected to grow 12%, while mechanical engineering is projected to grow 11%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide wu-blockquote-row is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ad2f72ca wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote wu-blockquote-simple is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cThis is about creating a clearer academic home for students. . . . Science,&nbsp;mathematics,&nbsp;computer science, and&nbsp;engineering&nbsp;work best when they\u2019re not operating in silos.&#8221;<\/p>\n<cite>\u2014 <em>Dr. Milton Muldrow<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIf you look at our economy and the convergence of fields, it\u2019s turning very sharply in the STEM direction,\u201d Dr. Muldrow says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Delaware is well positioned to provide STEM career opportunities. The First State\u2019s long association with the DuPont Co. and the biopharmaceutical industry established a deep scientific footprint, while a robust banking and finance sector has driven sustained demand for computer science and data analytics expertise. The new college is designed to meet regional, national and international workforce needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe College of Sciences and Engineering reflects a clear understanding of today\u2019s workforce realities and where opportunity is growing,\u201d says Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer <strong>Dr. Denise Wells<\/strong>. \u201cDelaware\u2019s strength in life sciences, clean energy, technology, and data-driven fields calls for interdisciplinary preparation, and this College is designed to meet that demand \u2014 regionally and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Artificial intelligence, Dr. Muldrow adds, is accelerating\u2014not diminishing\u2014opportunity for STEM professionals. \u201cThere are a lot of headlines about AI dinging opportunities in the sciences,\u201d he says. \u201cBut it\u2019s not replacing humans in the innovation pipeline, particularly in biology; it is augmenting and speeding it up. AI is driving demand for people who understand the science behind the systems, the data, and the ethical and policy implications.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the defining features of the new college is its integrated structure. Students studying\u00a0Biology,\u00a0Chemistry,\u00a0Engineering, and related fields will encounter coursework that overlaps disciplines and mirrors how problems are solved outside academia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThat integration prepares students for careers that increasingly demand interdisciplinary skills,\u201d Muldrow says. \u201cIn the real world, challenges don\u2019t come labeled as \u2018biology\u2019 or \u2018computer science.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The college also emphasizes hands-on experiential learning. Undergraduate and graduate students engage in research, often one-on-one with faculty or through internships. \u201cThe best way to learn about research is to do research,\u201d Dr. Muldrow says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the new college comes an expansion of academic pathways. WilmU is introducing new&nbsp;data science programs&nbsp;and&nbsp;graduate degrees in Biology, along with&nbsp;associate degrees in Biology and Chemistry. A&nbsp;pre-med track&nbsp;is also in development, reflecting student interest and workforce demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond campus, the college is strengthening outreach efforts by offering courses in high schools and working directly with students\u2014particularly in the City of Wilmington\u2014to build early pathways into STEM fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide wu-blockquote-row is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ad2f72ca wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote wu-blockquote-simple is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cDelaware\u2019s strength in life sciences, clean energy, technology, and data-driven fields calls for interdisciplinary preparation, and this College is designed to meet that demand \u2014 regionally and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n<cite>\u2014 Dr. Denise Wells<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve long wanted to do more with high schools, making students who are excited about science aware of opportunities to earn degrees and perform research,\u201d Dr. Muldrow says, pointing to a Howard High School of Technology student who later blossomed at WilmU through the NASA Delaware Space Grant program. That program, where Dr. Muldrow currently serves as associate director, allows students to participate in NASA-supported aeronautics and space research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students will benefit from a mix of in-person and virtual learning. WilmU\u2019s Brandywine campus offers state-of-the-art laboratories for in-person science and engineering instruction, while virtual options provide flexibility for working adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. Muldrow\u2019s approach to education is rooted in lifelong curiosity about the natural world. Growing up in Baltimore, he gravitated toward science early. \u201cIn elementary school, I was always picking up rocks, checking books about dinosaurs out of the library, and learning all I could,\u201d he recalls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He earned a&nbsp;bachelor\u2019s in Biology&nbsp;from St. Francis University, followed by a National Science Foundation Graduate STEM Fellowship that took him to the University of Missouri\u2013St. Louis, where he completed a&nbsp;master\u2019s in Biology. His thesis focused on tropical forest restoration in the Florida Keys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. Muldrow also worked as a biologist and program analyst at the National Science Foundation, where he helped write an early report on climate change. His work included recommending funding for undergraduate research experiences, leading NSF-supported marine research projects in Florida, and producing educational materials on climate science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He later earned a Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Public Policy from George Mason University, where he studied shifting baselines in coral reef conservation, a theme that spans natural science, policy, and long-term societal impact. He is the author of Synthetic Biology: Life\u2019s Extraordinary New Worlds, an audiobook on the emerging field that combines biology and engineering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since joining WilmU, Dr. Muldrow has played a central role in expanding the University\u2019s science offerings. As chair, he launched&nbsp;Environmental Science, Chemistry, and Biology programs, helping build a pipeline of graduates entering some of Delaware\u2019s fastest-growing employment sectors. Today, as dean, he is focused on scale and sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That includes developing internship partnerships, expanding undergraduate and graduate research, and ensuring that programs remain aligned with industry needs. It also supports innovation through curricula and applied research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve spoken with students, and they\u2019re very excited by the opportunity to earn degrees and certificates through the new college,\u201d Dr. Muldrow says. \u201cThey see where these fields are going, and they want to be part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDr. Muldrow brings a deep understanding of the convergence shaping science, engineering, and mathematics,\u201d says Dr. Wells. \u201cUnder his leadership, the College prepares students not just for their first job, but for careers that will continue to evolve with technology, data, and discovery.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As science and engineering continue to shape the future of work, WilmU is helping students to be career-ready at the center of that transformation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><sub>\u2014 Eileen Smith Dallabrida<\/sub><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dr. Milton Muldrow, dean of Wilmington University\u2019s new College of Sciences and Engineering, is leading the College\u2019s interdisciplinary approach to preparing students for careers in&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":19207,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[1073,1042,14,15],"class_list":["post-19206","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-news","tag-college-of-sciences-and-engineering","tag-stem-degrees","tag-wilmington-university","tag-wilmu"],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":2,"label":"ACADEMIC NEWS"}],"post_tag":[{"value":1073,"label":"College of Sciences and Engineering"},{"value":1042,"label":"STEM degrees"},{"value":14,"label":"Wilmington University"},{"value":15,"label":"WilmU"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Dr-Milton-Muldrow-480x480.jpg",480,480,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"Rachel Marchione","author_link":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/author\/rachel\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":2,"name":"ACADEMIC NEWS","slug":"academic-news","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":559,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":460,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":2,"category_count":460,"category_description":"","cat_name":"ACADEMIC NEWS","category_nicename":"academic-news","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":[{"term_id":1073,"name":"College of Sciences and Engineering","slug":"college-of-sciences-and-engineering","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":1630,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":10,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":1042,"name":"STEM degrees","slug":"stem-degrees","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":1599,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":2,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":14,"name":"Wilmington University","slug":"wilmington-university","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":571,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":357,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":15,"name":"WilmU","slug":"wilmu","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":572,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":291,"filter":"raw"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19206","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19206"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19206\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19342,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19206\/revisions\/19342"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19207"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19206"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19206"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19206"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}