Beverly Kopper named new provost at UW-Whitewater

December 2, 2009

Beverly Kopper has been named the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s new provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, the top academic post at the university.  She will assume the position April 1, 2010.

Kopper is the associate provost for academic affairs at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa, a position she has held since 2007. She also holds an appointment as professor in the Department of Psychology. Kopper has served as director of the Office of Academic Assessment and as a special assistant for academic affairs at the University of Northern Iowa.

"Given her background and areas of expertise, the provost's position is a natural next step for Dr. Kopper," said Chancellor Richard Telfer. "I am pleased that she has accepted the offer to serve as UW-Whitewater's next provost. She has great enthusiasm for and commitment to higher education. She has a record of focusing on student success. I believe she will serve the faculty, staff and students well. I look forward to working with her as we face the many challenges and opportunities to continue UW-Whitewater's long tradition of academic excellence."

Kopper said she is excited to work with the outstanding students, faculty and staff members at UW-Whitewater. "One of the things that struck me was the university's strong commitment to academic excellence and student engagement," she said. "My goals are to continue to support the university in providing our students with a world-class education."

She acknowledged the current economic difficulties present challenges for UW-Whitewater, but said her experience as associate provost at the University of Northern Iowa will serve the campus well. "I'm convinced we will get through these challenges," Kopper said. "It will also be important for us to continue to work together to become even more innovative and entrepreneurial to meet those economic challenges."

Kopper added that she looks forward to upholding the core values of a liberal education at UW-Whitewater. "I'm very passionate about higher education and will strive to make a real difference at UW-Whitewater," she said.

Kopper has a bachelor's degree in psychology from the State University of New York - Buffalo, a master's degree in social work from UW-Madison and master's and doctoral degrees in psychology from Iowa State University.

She replaces Christine Clements, who has served as the interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. The position was open because Telfer, the former provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, was named chancellor.

"I would like to publicly thank Dr. Christine Clements for her service as interim provost," Telfer said. "She has done an outstanding job and has helped the academic affairs side of things move forward. She has been instrumental in our continued efforts with strategic planning and began many projects that will serve the campus well. I continue to be impressed by her hard work and her commitment to UW-Whitewater."