Tony Allen

Tony Allen is Chief Executive Officer of the nation’s most diverse, contemporary Historically Black College and University: Delaware State University. 

Delaware State University is a comprehensive research institution with a $180 million budget, a $50 million endowment, a $30 million research portfolio, and 900 employees in five academic colleges, serving more than 6,000 undergraduates, graduate students, and adult learners in Delaware, online, and internationally in 23 countries. 

Tony started his career as speechwriter for then-United States Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr. In 2020, he was named Chief Executive Officer of the 59th Presidential Inaugural after having served on the Advisory Board of President Biden’s Transition Team. In 2021, he was appointed to the President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities as Chair, a role in which he served until January 2025.

Before joining the University, Tony transitioned from speechwriting to a career in Communications within the financial services sector, beginning as Executive Vice President at MBNA America. He then led Communications for Bank of America’s largest divisions, founding and developing the Corporate Reputation group.

Tony has been awarded honors such as the Whitney M. Young Award for Advancing Racial Equality, the National Urban League’s highest honor; the Excellence in Education Award given by the Delaware Barristers Association; and Lifetime Achievement Awards from both the National Urban Fellows and Public Allies.

Founding President of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League, Cofounder of Public Allies Delaware, Chair Emeritus of the National Urban Fellows, and a Distinguished Fellow with the National Academy of Public Administration, Tony also serves on the Boards of Graham and Pepco Holdings.

Tony holds a B.A. in Political Science and a Ph.D. in Urban Affairs & Public Policy from the University of Delaware as well as a Master of Public Administration from Baruch College (City University of New York). He is the proud husband of Ms. Tara Allen and father of five fantastic children.

Tony Allen is President of Delaware State University, one of the United States’ finest Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Having launched his career as speechwriter for then-United States Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Dr. Allen then managed corporate reputation for financial services companies before joining DSU.

With degrees in Political Science, Public Administration, and Urban Affairs & Public Policy, Dr. Allen has received the Whitney M. Young Award for Advancing Racial Equality, the National Urban League’s highest honor, as well as awards given by National Urban Fellows and Public Allies, among others. Appointed to President Biden’s Board of Advisors on HBCUs as Chair in 2021, Tony served in that role until January 2025.