Rebecca S. Chopp became Colgate’s fifteenth president on July 1, 2002. During her tenure, she has:
• Presided over the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategic plan that has strengthened academic programs and developed new interdisciplinary institutes and centers.
• Expanded the university’s academic space by the largest amount in its history including the construction of an interdisciplinary science center and a library/information technology center.
• Implemented a new vision for residential education that provides leadership education for students and new programs in the arts, academic teams and wellness.
• Strengthened athletics.
• Expanded university-community partnerships including the establishment of the Upstate Institute which transfers intellectual capital through the work of faculty and students with non-profit organizations.
• Developed the most successful campaign in Colgate’s history with a goal of $400 million which, by the time it had gone public, had already raised over half the goal while creating new alumni avenues of connection and support.
• Overseen notable increases in admissions, improvement of student quality, and expansion of programs supporting diversity and globalization have occurred.
Chopp joined the university from Yale Divinity School, where she served as dean and Titus Street Professor of Theology.
While at Yale, Chopp completed the rebuilding project for the entire Divinity School campus; developed an academic strategic plan that continues to be implemented; rebuilt financial and management structures; and implemented new approaches in alumni relations, communications, and fund raising.
Prior to joining the Yale Divinity School, Chopp spent 15 years at Emory University where she held the positions of provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.
While at Emory, Chopp oversaw two colleges of liberal arts and seven professional schools and led strategic planning in areas such as teaching and research, international affairs, university/community relations, and information technology.
More than 20 vice presidents, deans and vice provosts reported to Chopp, who established three priorities for their work together: strengthening the schools and establishing cross-disciplinary programs, identifying new intellectual initiatives, and identifying and supporting colleagues with leadership potential.
Chopp also served as director of graduate studies for the Institute of Women’s Studies, dean of faculty and academic affairs at the Candler School, and Charles Howard Candler Professor of Theology at Emory.
Chopp received her BA from Kansas Wesleyan University, her MDiv from St. Paul School of Theology and her PhD from the University of Chicago.
A well-known scholar of religion and American culture, Chopp has authored or edited five books and has published over fifty articles in her areas of expertise. In recent years her research and professional presentations have focused on changing structures and cultures of higher education, on the role of liberal arts in a democratic society and on religion and higher education.
Chopp has received the Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Chicago; the Alumna of the Year award from the University of Chicago Divinity School, honorary doctorates in divinity from Lehigh University and Lafayette College, the Alumni Achievement Award from Kansas Wesleyan University, the Distinguished Alumna Award from Saint Paul School of Theology, and the Founder’s Day Award from Baker University.
Chopp currently serves on the boards of the Association of American Colleges and Universities and the National Survey of Student Engagement. She has served on the executive committee of the Annapolis Group, the Board of Trustees of the Carnegie Foundation for Teaching and has served on the Council of Information and Library Resources. Chopp has served as president of the Patriot League and is currently serving on the Presidential Advisory Committee for the NCAA.
Chopp is married to Frederick H. Thibodeau. They have three sons.