BALTIMORE, MD - On Tuesday, May 19, 2015 - James L. Shea, chairman of the University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents announced the appointment of Maria Thompson, Ph.D. as president of Coppin State University. Thompson is currently the provost and vice president for academic affairs at the State University of New York at Oneonta (SUNY Oneonta).

Thompson's appointment is effective July 1.

Thompson has held her position at SUNY Oneonta since 2011 after spending 13 years as a leading administrator for research and sponsored programs at Tennessee State University, which is another historically black institution in Nashville, Tennessee.

While as the chief academic officer for SUNY Oneonta, Thompson led the educational mission for a public, regional comprehensive university offering bachelor's and master's degrees to 6,000 students. She has overseen institutional accreditation, institutional planning and assessment, and professional development of more than 500 full-time and part-time faculty members. She also initiated the first academic master plan for the campus and implemented a plan for restructuring the division of academic affairs to strengthen the university's long-time strategic position.

Thompson also graduated from Tennessee State University and holds an Master's from Ohio State University in textiles. She went on and earned her doctorate in textile science and textile economics from the University of Tennessee. She completed the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University in 2011 and, in 2013, completed the Spectrum Executive Leadership Program sponsored by the American Council on Education.

"We are delighted to welcome Dr. Thompson as president of Coppin State University," said Shea. "Her background as a top-level academic leader at SUNY-Oneonta, and her earlier experience in building research enterprise at an urban historically black institution, position her well to advance Coppin as a vital institution in Baltimore and the state."

Coppin State University, a historically black institution, is an urban liberal arts campus anchored in northwest Baltimore. Founded in 1900, Coppin State offers 33 majors and 12 graduate degree programs with courses in nursing, business, teacher education, and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

"I look forward to working with the faculty, staff, students and other stakeholders to continue the university's commitment to preparing graduates who are analytical, socially responsible and lifelong learners," Thompson said. "Urban higher educational plays a vital role in shaping the future of local, national and global communities and I am excited about joining a campus with a rich legacy of community engagement."

The USM Board of Regents in July 2013, appointed Mortimer H. Neufville, Ph.D., to a two-year term as president, effective through June 30, 2015. He began his service to Coppin as interim president on January 2013. He played a critical role in advancing the university's future while the board's Special Review Committee conducted a comprehensive review of Coppin State. The board's analysis developed strategies to increase student retention and graduation rates, improve administrative operations and financial stability, and build a culture focused on success.

To learn more about Coppin State University, visit www.coppin.edu.