Faculty Profile
Perry Phelps
Adjunct Program Coordinator
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Adjunct Faculty
M.S., Wilmington University
B.S., Wilmington University
AAS, Delaware Technical and Community College
Biography
Commissioner Perry Phelps (ret.) brings a wealth of practical and theoretical knowledge to his roles as Adjunct Program Coordinator and Adjunct Assistant Professor at Wilmington University. His extensive career in Corrections, spanning over three decades, culminated in his historic appointment as the first African American Commissioner of Correction for the State of Delaware (2017-2019), where he oversaw the state's second-largest executive branch agency, and the state’s largest law enforcement agency, managing approximately 2,500 employees, 7,000 incarcerated individuals, and 15,000 individuals under community supervision.
Prior to his tenure as Commissioner, Mr. Phelps held progressively responsible leadership positions within the Delaware Department of Correction, including Correctional Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Security Superintendent, Deputy Warden, Warden, Bureau Chief of Prisons, and Deputy Commissioner. His expertise extends beyond adult corrections, as demonstrated by his service as Deputy Director and Director of the Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services for the Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families (2005-2008), where he managed a significant budget and provided services to approximately 5,000 youth annually.
Mr. Phelp’s commitment to education is evident in his current and past involvement with academic institutions. At Wilmington University, he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (Criminal Justice, Administration of Justice and Homeland Security). He has also contributed his expertise as a board member on the Criminal Justice Advisory Boards for Wilmington University, Delaware Technical and Community College (Kent and Stanton campuses), and Polytech High School.
Commissioner Phelps holds an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice from Delaware Technical and Community College (1994), a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (2004), and a Master of Science in Management with a concentration in Public Administration (2005), both from Wilmington University. His extensive practical experience, coupled with his academic credentials, allows him to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system, integrating theoretical frameworks with real-world applications. His research interests include organizational culture, diversity and inclusion in correctional and law enforcement settings, and leadership development.