Office of the President
Aerial shot of Montclair State University's campus.

Key Accomplishments

Jonathan Koppell

Key accomplishments as Vice Provost and Dean, Watts College of Public Service & Community Solutions, Arizona State University

Commitment to access and student success

  • Enrollment grew to 9,000+ students, from 3,500 in 2011
  • Over 50% first-generation college students, nearly two-thirds Pell-eligible
  • Underrepresented minority students 58% of undergrads versus 34% of university overall
  • Built strong community college partnerships to grow transfer access, support transfer student success
  • Created Office of Education Innovation to drive advances in pedagogy, learning in all academic programs
  • Dramatically improved retention (>85%), graduation rates (>64%) through financial counseling, support
  • Bridging Success created for former foster youth

Dramatic improvement in quality, rankings

  • Elite rankings: School of Public Affairs moved to #9 in US from #27 under leadership (with 8 specializations ranked in top ten), Criminal Justice #2, Social Work #26 (from #54); #1 in Emergency Management.
  • Top 5% among peer institutions in funded research: $32M external awards; more than double in 5 years
  • Dozens of nationally recognized scholars added to faculty

University-wide leadership on key initiatives

  • Launched ASU Public Service Academy, first of its kind four-year university-wide program; >150 majors across 700 students, veterans. With Volcker Alliance created NextGen Service partnership to scale PSA nationally. Eight universities joined with more in queue.
  • Created Congressman Ed Pastor Center for Politics and Public Service to promote involvement in politics
  • Launched Homelessness Action Nexus to integrate all public sector and nonprofit efforts in key policy arena.

Meeting needs of students, community

  • New degree programs created to meet workforce and student demand (e.g., MA, emergency management and homeland security, >500 students, MA, program evaluation and data analysis, MA, public safety leadership and administration, MA, policy advocacy, BA, community advocacy and social policy)
  • Operate on multiple campuses across AZ (Tucson, Yuma) and beyond (China)
  • Embraced online & remote learning; internship and field learning opportunities across globe. >3500 students.
  • Expanded Lifelong Learning and non-degree education

Skillful administration, advancing diversity

  • Grew and balanced $60+ million budget, new revenue sources, surpluses generated for strategic investments
  • Diversified college leadership: 38% minority, 50% female
  • Hired more diverse faculty: 37% minority, 47% female
  • Established new Associate Dean, Committee on Diversity & Inclusion as part of effort to address equity and access issues

Development and fundraising

  • Secured $30 million naming gift – one of the largest in the history of ASU: five endowed professorships, student success programs and signature program to spur social transformation.
  • More than $70 million raised with annual donations more than doubled to exceed $10 million/year
  • Multiple foundational gifts in excess of $1 million to launch critical initiatives including Pastor Center, Action Nexus, and Arizona Governance and Policy Academy
  • More than $1m scholarships annually, nearly doubled, to drive student success and diversity.

Globalizing the College through expanded international activities

  • Created Hainan University-ASU International Tourism College. Four-year ASU degree for students completely in residence in China. Enrollment >1000 students. 15+ ASU faculty in residence. First class of graduates in May ‘21. Improves school while diversifying financial base.
  • Expanded international research and academic activity (e.g., anti-gang work in El Salvador, Caribbean; behavioral health in Mexico; public administration training in Guam, E. Europe; North America partnership)
  • New international non-degree education: Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders; Civic Leadership Curriculum for East Africa Leadership Center (YALI); Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative; Civil society training in Saudi Arabia.

Innovation to serve public interest

  • Design Studio for Community Solutions created to advance “One Square Mile” initiative, an innovative model of community-driven systems integration for social programs.
  • Westward Ho Collaboratory, public-private partnership embeds supportive services in Section 8 housing: vital services with hands-on learning and research.
  • Launched Center for Emergency Management and Homeland Security; Jon Kyl Center for Water Policy; Center for Science, Technology and Environmental Policy Studies; Center for Problem-Oriented Policing; Center for Child Well-being; Center for Correctional Solutions
  • Philanthropically-funded “Opportunities for Youth” backbone organization coordinates community action across Maricopa County for disengaged youth.
  • American Indian Policy Institute joins College as heart of tribal collaboration initiatives