Tracy DeLiberty - a scholar in climate science, geographical information systems and remote sensing - has been named interim dean of the University of Delaware's College of Earth, Ocean and Environment, Interim Provost William Farquhar announced today.

DeLiberty steps into the interim dean role because Dean Fabrice Veron has been named UD's interim vice president of research, scholarship and innovation.

A faculty member in CEOE's Department of Geography and Spatial Sciences for more than 30 years, DeLiberty has served as deputy dean of the college since 2022.

"Dr. DeLiberty is a distinguished scholar and educator with strong leadership experience at UD and a deep commitment to sharing her knowledge of geography with K-12 students and teachers in the community," Farquhar said.

DeLiberty is a lead delegate of DelawareView, a member state of AmericaView, which advances Earth observation education through remote sensing science, applied research, workforce development, technology transfer and community outreach. She also works closely with Mary Schorse, director of the Delaware Center for Geographic Education, to promote and enhance teaching about geography and careers in the field. DeLiberty is also affiliated with UD's Delaware Space Grant, Data Science Institute and Delaware Environmental Institute.

"I'm honored and grateful to have this opportunity to serve CEOE in this new role, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to continue building the reach and impact of our scholarship and community service," DeLiberty said.

DeLiberty earned her bachelor's degree from Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania, her master's in geography from the University of Arizona and her Ph.D. in geography from the University of Oklahoma.

Veron had served as CEOE dean since 2021, first as interim until his appointment in 2023.

Veron is an oceanography scholar whose research focuses on the connections between the ocean and the atmosphere, such as those involving breaking waves, water turbulence and sea spray. He is a member of the American Geophysical Union, the American Physical Society and the American Meteorological Society.

The University has launched a national search for the next dean of CEOE.