Dr. Coopwood is a native of Gary, Indiana, where he was a standout
scholar and athlete at Calumet High School. He was selected
for a national engineering workshop at Purdue
University in eighth grade and later earned college credits
while in high school as a participant in Purdue Upward Bound.
He earned a full ride football scholarship at Indiana
State University where he completed a BS degree in Business
Administration. He earned a Masters degree in Public Administration
in May, 1992 and his Ph.D. in Educational Administration, leadership
and foundations in May, 2000.
The current Director of Diversity & Equity and Assistant to
the Chancellor, Dr. Coopwood provides campus leadership for the
benefit of human and university equity and diversity development.
A diversity trainer since 1992, he has also worked with numerous
youth, professional and government agencies engaged in identity
constructs as a means to effective change. He brings a variety
of teaching, leadership, programming and educational experience
that serves to enhance the overall strategic plan for the Shared
Vision at IUN.
By applying the principles of servant leadership early in his
career, Dr. Coopwood has excelled rapidly in the fields of diversity
education and training and leadership/identity development. Since
his start in 1989, he has served in many roles including responsibility
for campus-wide diversity and affirmative initiatives. He twice
served as a university cabinet member where he was responsible
for senior level administration of resources and programs that
enhance academic and social experiences for all constituents. Along
the way, he directed academic, social, judicial, sports, marketing,
cultural, and several student programs.
Dr. Coopwood believes that diversity management is prerequisite
for effective change and that knowledge of people (cultural, psychological,
spiritual, etc.) is often absent when structural change is being
implemented. People are often more interested in the perceptions
of others as opposed to the professions of others. His philosophy
is expressed by his quote:
"In a nation where speculations of money, health, poverty
and policy rank supreme in the conscience
of the public mind, the most tragic and destructive display of
human judgment is still that which conceals the absolute truth
of a people." |
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