ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio University Provost Stephen Kopp named Michael Mumper, Chair of the Department of Political Science, to the position of Associate Provost for Graduate Studies. Mumper, whose duties begin July 1, takes over for Interim Associate Provost Raymie McKerrow.
"I am very pleased Professor Mumper has accepted this appointment," Kopp said. "He is a talented and accomplished scholar who brings many positive attributes to this position. Michael's vision for the future of graduate education at Ohio University is most impressive. His success in translating vision into reality as department chair is laudable and will provide a strong foundation for success in his new role. This is a time for leadership and I am confident that Professor Mumper will lead Ohio University's graduate programs successfully and advance their quality and stature."
Mumper will coordinate graduate education activities including program review, student recruitment, program development, applications, minority recruitment and retention, stipend contracts and tuition scholarships, as well as related policies. He will serve on the Regents Advisory Committee on Graduate Study, also working with the University Curriculum Council, Graduate Council and the Graduate Student Senate. Mumper will act as a spokesperson for graduate education, advising Kopp on associated issues.
"Professor Mumper has distinguished himself as a department chair and as a university citizen," said Ohio University President Robert Glidden. "He has experience leading graduate programs, understands both the University's and graduate students' needs, and will further distinguish himself in this new role. I am pleased that he is willing to accept this appointment."
Mumper, who has been at Ohio University since 1987, specializes in American higher education and domestic public policy, public policy analysis and public administration. He earned a bachelor of arts in government from Adams State College (1976), a master of arts in political science from Arizona State University (1978) and a Ph.D. in government and politics from the University of Maryland-College Park (1986).
During the 1996-97 academic year, Mumper was a Fulbright Fellow at the American University in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria. His articles have appeared in the Journal of Higher Education, the Review of Higher Education, the Journal of Education Finance, the Journal of Student Financial Aid, Urban Education, Educational Policy, Polity and the Social Science Journal. Mumper's book, "Removing College Price Barriers: What Government Has Done and Why It Hasn't Worked," is part of the Social Context of Education Series.
A highly decorated political science professor, Mumper has earned the Jeanette Grasselli Outstanding Teacher Award (1993-94), the College of Arts and Science's Outstanding Teacher Award (1990-91) and the University Professor award (1991-92).
"This position provides me with a wonderful opportunity," Mumper said. "Graduate education is central to the mission of Ohio University. I see enormous opportunities to offer our outstanding graduate programs -- especially our professional masters programs -- in different formats that increase their accessibility to students around the state and region. We offer world-class graduate programs at Ohio University. I look forward to working with the graduate students, the faculty, the chairs and directors and deans to nurture and develop our long tradition."
