Key Accomplishments
Jonathan Koppell
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