Mary-Beth A. Cooper, Ph.D., D.M., became the 13th President of Springfield College in August 2013, bringing to the College her experience from a long and distinguished career in higher education administration and community service. 

With her leadership, the Springfield College community has experienced a unified rededication to its Humanics philosophy and mission of leadership in service to others, and it has committed itself to educational excellence through cultivation of partnerships that engage diverse populations and allow students to produce new knowledge. Through an extensive planning process, she has fostered an internal environment that reflects shared governance among faculty, staff, and student bodies, and an external environment that is safe and welcoming for the College community and its city neighbors. 

She has created a strategic vision to build an institution that provides a student-centric experience and has overseen the implementation of its many initiatives. Most recently, she worked with faculty, staff, and students to create the innovative Harold C. Smith Learning Commons, which brings together faculty excellence, technology, and library services to create a full-service learning, research, and project space. 

President Cooper earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Delaware, a Master of Education from the University of Georgia, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Rochester, a Doctor of Philosophy in Education Administration from Michigan State University, and a Doctor of Management from Case Western Reserve University. 

Known for her volunteer leadership, President Cooper serves on the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities Committee on Policy Analysis and Public Relations. She was appointed by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker to serve on the Special Commission to Study the Incorporation of Safe and Effective Pain Treatment and Prescribing Practices into the Professional Training of Students that may Prescribe Controlled Substances. 

President Cooper serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts and is also the Chair of the NEWMAC Athletic Conference. She also serves on the President’s Council of the NCAA and the Boards of the Council of Independent Colleges, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, the Springfield Museums, DevelopSpringfield, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation. 

President Cooper lives on the Springfield College campus with her husband, David. They have a son, Calvin, a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force Services.