Alex Delavan has been named the new director of the Division of Engineering Research (DER) at Michigan State University.
Delavan worked at MSU early in his career and is returning to campus from the University of Kentucky, where he has been serving as assistant director of the Office of Sponsored Programs. Prior to joining the University of Kentucky, he served as head the Office of Sponsored Programs at Oakland University.
His first day at MSU will be Nov. 16.
Delavan received a bachelor's degree in business administration, with an accounting specialty, from MSU. He later earned an MBA from Oakland University.
"Alex combines a strong record of process improvement, customer service, and staff support aligned well with college strategy," said Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies John Verboncoeur. "I hope you will all warmly welcome Alex to the College of Engineering family when he arrives."
Verboncoeur said he is grateful to the DER team for a successful transition since the departure of former director Kelli Martin this summer. Martin became Traverse City's treasurer and finance director in August.
"We have continued to process proposals at a record pace while doing all our seasonal projects such as reporting research expenditures," Verboncoeur continued. "I want to thank Jacque Shoppell for stepping forward to serve as interim director during the search process and until the new director arrives."
Shoppell will return to her role as DER assistant director when Delavan joins the DER office.
"She has been a great asset to the college throughout many years of service, including most recently in service as interim DER director," Verboncoeur added.