New Mexico State University (NMSU) named Karen Kopera-Frye as associate dean of the Graduate School. Kopera-Frye assumes her new role starting February 23.
Kopera-Frye expressed that she feels honored and humbled to join NMSU’s Graduate School. “I look forward to collaborating with our interdisciplinary faculty and students to help position the Graduate School as a premier center for promoting graduate student success and academic partnerships, particularly with our tribal and community business partners.”
As associate dean, Kopera-Frye aims to expand interdisciplinary programming. She plans to explore the development of a graduate gerontology certificate and degree program at NMSU.
“There are many opportunities to enhance student social mobility and workforce development through the collaborative creation of graduate stackable credentials and innovative specialization training,” Kopera-Frye said.
Ranjit T. Koodali, dean of the Graduate School and associate provost for interdisciplinary studies, welcomed Kopera-Frye to the Graduate School with delight.
“Dr. Kopera-Frye brings extensive administrative experience, including 18 years in advanced leadership roles such as associate dean of academics and research, as well as institutional knowledge and Faculty Senate leadership that will help raise the visibility of graduate education at NMSU,” he said.
Kopera-Frye’s Career Journey
Kopera-Frye joined NMSU in 2016 and is a professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences. She has served in numerous leadership roles. She chaired the Faculty Senate Access, Opportunity and Outreach Committee, joined the Faculty Senate Leadership Committee, and was a member of the President’s Task Force on Federal and State Initiatives.
Additionally, Kopera-Frye has served on the Provost Search Committee, the Federal and State Government Initiatives – Overall EID Impacts Committee, and the Inclusive Practices at a Land-Grant University Task Force.
Kopera-Frye earned her master’s and doctoral degrees in developmental and clinical psychology from Wayne State University. She also earned a master’s degree in public administration from NMSU. She completed graduate specialist training in gerontology. Her research focuses on aging, caregiving and cultural values among Latinx and Indigenous families.
Moreover, Kopera-Frye developed an HEST interprofessional course that supports peer mentoring among undergraduate and graduate students. She has coordinated the undergraduate and graduate gerontology minor in the Department of Public Health Sciences.
Kopera-Frye is also a fellow of the American Psychological Association, the Gerontological Society of America and the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education. She is certified as an advanced-level mentor through the University of New Mexico Mentoring Institute.
This year, she was selected to serve a four-year term as editor-in-chief of Gerontology & Geriatrics Education. This journal is published by the Gerontological Society of America. She was also chair-elect of the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education, a division of the Gerontological Society of America.