Kathryn Meier joins as chief of staff; Elaine Nelson as senior events manager
Kathryn Meier, a leader in higher education administration, joined the University of Delaware College of Engineering as chief of staff on March 30. In this role, she will serve as the dean’s deputy, advance strategic priorities and oversee operations. Reporting to Meier, Elaine Nelson began March 16 as senior events manager, a newly created role supporting programming and events.
Meier brings to the college 20 years of experience in higher education leadership, including six years at Drexel Engineering, first as inaugural assistant dean for strategy and innovation and later following a promotion to vice dean. In these roles, she accelerated the launch and implementation of strategic planning and deepened industry partnerships.
Prior to 2019, Meier spent nearly 14 years in administrative and leadership roles at UD, including positions in the College of Earth, Ocean and Environment; Department of English; and Lerner College of Business and Economics. She also served as the inaugural holder of both the director of communications and chief of staff roles in the College of Arts and Sciences. Most recently, Meier was vice president of communications and marketing at Lafayette College. While there, she realigned the team across streamlined verticals, launched new initiatives in marketing and data-driven strategy, and under her leadership the team garnered a record 11 2026 CUPPIE Awards for Higher Education Marketing.
Meier holds a bachelor’s in English, a master of business administration and a doctoral degree, all from UD. She also holds leadership certifications from Harvard University’s Institute for Management and Leadership in Education, Duke University CE, and the HERS Leadership Institute.
Also a UD alumna, Nelson has worked at the University since 2006, including the past 17 years in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. She has held a range of administrative roles and provided extensive support of the Senior Design program. Nelson earned her bachelor of science degree at UD.
Together, the reimagined chief of staff role and the new events management position will help advance the college’s strategic priorities and expand programs and partnerships that benefit students, faculty and the broader engineering community.
Rebecca Gregan will remain in her position through her retirement on Aug. 31. She has been at the University for 22 years, including the past three with the college, providing dedicated service and support through a period of transition.