Cooper Named RIT Vice President for Student Affairs

Mary-Beth Cooper has been named Rochester Institute of Technology’s new vice president for student affairs, effective Jan. 2, 2002, according to a recent announcement from RIT President Albert Simone. Cooper replaces Linda Kuk who resigned from the position in March, and Frank Lamas who most recently was interim vice president for student affairs.

Cooper comes to RIT from the University of Rochester where she is associate provost for student services and dean of students. Prior to that, she was dean of students and chief student affairs officer at St. John Fisher College.

Cooper holds a Ph.D. in college and university administration from Michigan State University, an M.B.A. from the University of Rochester, and a B.S. degree in criminal justice from the University of Delaware. She belongs to several professional organizations including the American College Personnel Association, the Association of College and University Housing Officer, the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators and the New York State Association of Women in Administration. She is also active in several community organizations including the Campus Ministry Strategic Planning Committee, Community Service Network and the Women’s Health Partnership.

"I am delighted to assume the role as vice president of student affairs at RIT," she says. "During my visits on campus, I have been overwhelmed by the professionalism and warmth of the faculty, staff and students. I am looking forward to getting to know the students at RIT and serving as their advocate. The future for both RIT and myself looks bright and full of potential."

According to a statement from Simone, "Dr. Cooper brings a passion, vitality, commitment and focus to her job. While all of us are student advocates and work for the success of our students, she will be RIT’s primary student advocate. I know that student spirit, loyalty, appreciation of, and commitment to RIT will increase significantly as a result of her leadership. The other vice presidents and I welcome her to the administrative team, as together we work for the further enhancement of RIT in all of its aspects."

Cooper will be on campus in December to meet with students, other RIT vice presidents, faculty and Student Affairs staff members.

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Internationally recognized as a leader in imaging, technology, fine and applied arts, and education of the deaf, Rochester Institute of Technology enrolls 14,000 full and part-time students in more than 230 career-oriented and professional programs. Many are unique and enjoy worldwide recognition. RIT’s cooperative education program is one of the oldest and largest in the nation.

For the past decade, U.S. News and World Report has ranked RIT as one of the nation’s leading comprehensive universities. RIT is also included in Yahoo! Internet Life’s Top 100 Wired Universities, Fisk’s Guide to America’s Best Colleges, as well as Barron’s Best Buys in Education.

MEDIA NOTE: Digital photo of Mary-Beth Cooper available by calling 716-475-4951.