ASU’s College of Public Programs at the Downtown campus is officially under the leadership of newly appointed Dean Jonathan Koppell as of Monday.
Koppell will continue serving his previous role as director of the School of Public Affairs, along with taking on the new responsibilities of dean of the College of Public Programs, which encompasses the School of Public Affairs, School of Community Resources and Development, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice and School of Social Work.
During his time as School of Public Affairs director, Koppell has extended several master’s programs within the college and has put an emphasis on community engagement.
School of Social Work Director Steven Anderson said he is looking forward to how Koppell will connect the schools together in creative ways to develop new solutions.
“We will all be working collectively,” Anderson said. “He is very innovative, interested in and dedicated to finding solutions to social problems.”
The most recent dean of the College of Public Programs, Debra Friedman, left the university over the summer to accept a position as chancellor for the University of Washington Tacoma.
Christopher Callahan, vice provost of the Downtown campus and dean of the Walter Cronkite School, said he considers Koppell to be smart with a clear vision and sees the appointment as a “win-win.”
“I’ve known him since he came to ASU and I think he’s the right leader,” Callahan said. “I see a great vision and a future in public programs with Koppell.”
Koppell, who has a doctorate and master’s degree from the University of California at Berkeley, as well as a bachelor’s degree from Harvard College, is a published author with books examining global governance and the weak oversight of companies similar to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Based on Koppell’s experience and suppport from Friedman, Joseph Grossman, Downtown campus student government president and a criminology and criminal justice junior, said he has high hopes for the dean.
“I trust the opinions of Dean Friedman and what she thinks is best,” said Grossman, who was mentored by Friedman through the ASU Obama Scholars Success program.
Grossman believes with previous accomplishments, Koppell can continue improving the college, specifically with hands-on experience.
“My hopes are that he can break down walls in the public programs with what students can do, as far as getting them internships,” Grossman said.
Contact the reporter at melissa.fittro@asu.edu
