John D. Cooper, Ph.D.

Faculty Member, Walden University’s Community College Leadership Program 

As an Achieving the Dream Data Coach, John Cooper consults with two community colleges in the southern region with a particular focus in Little Rock and Helena, Arkansas.

Prior to his role with Achieving the Dream, Dr. Cooper has taught for NOVA Southeastern University’s Higher Education Leadership Program, and Regis University’s Masters of Nonprofit Management Program.  He has held positions as VP for Academic Service, Career and Occupational Dean, and Director of Professional Development within the Michigan Community College System. He has served as an Examiner for the Colorado Performance Excellence Program (CPEx) for four years.  Dr. Cooper has worked in business and industry with positions as Training Coordinator and Salaried Personnel Representative for GM and as Director of Human Resources for a professional liability firm.

Dr. Cooper has is involved with Walden University as a Contributing Faculty Member for doctoral studies in Community College Leadership and Higher Education. He has served as the Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership faculty representative on the University Curriculum and Academic Policy Committee for the past four years. In addition, he continues to teach as an Adjunct Faculty Member at Regis University, Denver, in the Master of Nonprofit Management program. Dr. Cooper has taught extensively throughout his professional career and consulted in organizational development, systems thinking, human resource management, governance, and program evaluation.

Educational Background: Cooper is a graduate of Rutgers-College of South Jersey, holds an MBA from Indiana University and a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from Michigan State University.