Joseph J. Foy, Ph.D. President | Benedictine University

John Smith-Coppes has been appointed as Co-President, Academics, at West Coast University in Irvine, California. He will serve alongside the Co-President of Operations. Smith-Coppes previously held the position of President and CEO at Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences. During his tenure there, he was responsible for leading academic affairs, curriculum development, and institutional transformation over a period of three years.

Before his time at Joyce University, Smith-Coppes worked for more than ten years in senior leadership roles at Rasmussen University. His positions included Vice President and Executive Director of its School of Nursing, which is recognized as one of the largest nursing programs in the United States. Throughout his career, Smith-Coppes has concentrated on innovation in health sciences education and promoting student success.