Alumnus Michael Mumper named Adams State's new Provost (04-18-07)
Michael Mumper will be returning to his alma mater to assume the position of Provost at Adams State College, announced Dr. David Svaldi, president of Adams State. Currently Associate Provost for Graduate Studies at Ohio University, Mumper begins his new duties at Adams State July 1.
"More than thirty years ago, Adams State changed my life. It helped me to develop both personally and academically. It provided the foundation upon which my entire career has been built," said Mumper, who earned a degree in government at Adams State in 1976. "Having the opportunity to serve as its Provost is a dream-come-true. Adams State is a truly special place. It brings together a talented and diverse student body, with a highly accomplished and caring faculty and a dedicated staff, on a beautiful and friendly campus, to produce a unique educational experience."
Dr. Michael Mumper, Provost of Adams State College
As Provost, Mumper will be second in command at Adams State, with responsibility for the campus in the president's absence.
"I am thrilled that Dr. Mike Mumper has accepted our offer to join Adams State's leadership team. His arrival and participation will make a strong team stronger," Svaldi said. "He has the advantage of an Adams State experience, as well as experience elsewhere and a fresh eye that will help us improve our entire operation. I know that this was the only position that Dr. Mumper applied for, and I sense that his emotional ties to Adams State and his history here were the drivers for his application and interest. He does not aspire to be any Provost. He aspired only to be the Provost at Adams State."
Mumper began work at Ohio University in Athens in 1987 as a faculty member in the Political Science Department, serving as department chair from 1999-2003. He was named Associate Provost for Graduate Studies in 2003, with oversight of 3,000 graduate students at 6 campuses in more than 65 degree programs. Mumper reorganized the administration of graduate education, developed three new degree programs, and increased international student recruitment by 13 percent over two years. He was also involved with university strategic planning and prioritization of graduate education and research objectives.
As department chair, he was responsible for a 30 percent increase in undergraduate majors and a near doubling of the program's graduate student enrollment.
In 1996-97, Mumper taught at American University in Bulgaria as a Fulbright Visiting Scholar in social sciences. His early academic experience included teaching at Mesa Community College in Arizona, University of Maryland's University-College, and Winthrop College in South Carolina. He also was a researcher for the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
Mumper is the author of Removing College Price Barriers: What Government Has Done and Why It Hasn't Worked, as well as of numerous professional articles dealing with college access and affordability. He was one of 12 members of the Task Force on Institutional Leadership, which published a report on student financial aid that was judged the best such published work by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. He also has many book chapters, review essays, and panel and paper presentations to his credit.
At Ohio University, he received the Jeanette Grisselli Outstanding Teaching Award in 1993-94, University Professor in 1991-92, and Outstanding Teacher Award in 1990-91.
Following graduation from Adams State in 1976, Mumper earned an M.A. in political science at Arizona State University in 1978. In 1986 he completed his Ph.D. in government and politics at University of Maryland-College Park. His dissertation was entitled, National Policy-Making for College Student Assistance: A Network Analysis.
By Julie Waechter
