Dr. Darla Cooper

Thought Leaders - October 9
Conversation focus: Discussion with two veteran faculty members about how they have adapted their teaching in the time of COVID and gained new insights into and empathy for what it must be like for students to navigate their community college experience. You can find more details on the registration form.

Bio: Dr. Darla M. Cooper is an educational leader and expert in research and evaluation dedicated to using inquiry, data, and evidence to improve the lives of all community college students. She currently serves as the Executive Director for the Research and Planning Group for the California Community Colleges (RP Group).

Dr. Cooper has worked in the California Community Colleges system for over 20 years, having previously held institutional research director positions at Santa Barbara City College, Oxnard College, and Ohlone College. She led Student Support (Re)defined, a landmark research project that examined what supports student success, and is currently co-directing Through the Gate, a research study that examines what happens with students who appear ready to transfer, but do not.

Dr. Cooper has worked on various projects designed to promote student success including the American Association of Community Colleges’ (AACC) Pathways Project and Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. She also has direct experience assisting students in achieving their educational goals in her previous work at the University of Southern California as a director of research and information, student services counselor, and ombudsperson.

Dr. Cooper holds a BA in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego, and an MSEd and EdD from the University of Southern California.