The University of Delaware has sealed its partnership with former Vice President of the United States Joe Biden. The school will be launching a new Biden Institute, which is research and policy center intent on creating solutions to several domestic policy issues.
In its official website, the University of Delaware confirmed that Joe Biden will serve as the institute's founding chair. The center will be focused on developing public policy solutions on a variety of issues including economic reform and environmental sustainability to civil rights, criminal justice and women's rights, among others.
University president Dennis Assanis expressed his excitement on the partnership with the former VP of the United States. He said that Biden's experience as a public servant will help bring an important focus to several domestic policy matters that is expected to enhance the school's programs.
Biden also admitted that he is happy to work with his alma mater. The Biden Institute is said to be initially located at 44 Kent Way on the UD campus in Newark, Delaware. It will be part of the university's School of Public Policy and Administration.
Assanis revealed that the Biden Institute will have new faculty. It is also expected to be supported by the increased enrollment in the school as well as with an initiative to expand the school's offerings in areas such as smart cities, environment and energy, social justice, and disaster management.
According to USA Today College, about 15 faculty members will be added to the current 24 positions. Biden has always been a frequent visitor to his alma mater.
He was inducted to the university's Alumni Wall of Fame back in 1984 and, in 2011, he donated his senatorial papers to the school's library. He has also delivered four UD commencement addresses.
Joe Biden has also been confirmed to work with the University of Pennsylvania to lead the school's new center on diplomacy, foreign policy and national security. His spokesperson, Kate Bedingfield, said that he will most likely be spending about one day a week at each school, Philly.com noted.
