 |
| Dr. Jamie Cooper, Provost of Academic Affairs |
Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Jamie Cooper as its new Provost of Academic Affairs, effective August 1, 2025. An experienced leader with nearly 30 years in higher education, Cooper brings a strong background in technical college programs, student and academic support services, and institutional research strategies.
Cooper joins SLCC from York Technical College in South Carolina, where he served as Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. In that role, he led transformative initiatives that integrated academic programming with workforce development, including the launch of an electric vehicle (EV) service and repair program tailored to meet regional industry needs.
“Colleges have a responsibility not only to educate but also to empower,” said Cooper. “That means providing students with relevant training and support while serving as active partners in community and economic development. SLCC’s mission and momentum align perfectly with my passion for expanding opportunity and impact,” he added, noting that he sees leadership potential for SLCC not only in Utah but also on a regional and national scale.
Cooper’s career includes leadership roles at The Evergreen State College and George Mason University, where he oversaw advising, multicultural services, and academic operations. He holds a B.S. and M.A. in Psychology from Tennessee Technological University, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Psychology with a concentration in developmental science from Virginia Tech.
Growing up on a farm in rural Tennessee, Cooper saw education as a pathway to opportunity. “I recognize how transformative access to local, community-focused post-secondary education can be for individuals and their families,” he said. “My work in higher education is driven by the belief that colleges must provide equitable access to relevant, high-quality academic programs and training that open doors to high-demand career opportunities for all.”
“Dr. Cooper is a leader focused on students and dedicated to collaborative and inclusive leadership. These insights resonated with me, and I see SLCC benefitting from such a seasoned leader with the ability to increase collaboration across the institution and uphold our values community, inclusivity, learning, innovation, integrity, and trust,” said SLCC President Greg Peterson. “We are very much looking forward to his contributions and collaboration as the new Provost.”
This career opportunity, along with having family in Bountiful and a love for the mountains and outdoor recreation, were all strong draws for Cooper’s move from South Carolina to Utah. “I’m excited about what we can do together as an institution and look forward to working with teams at every level,” he said.
Comments
Post a Comment