Marcella A. Copes, Ph.D, RN

Marcella A. Copes, Ph.D., R.N. Dean and Professor, College of Health Professions, Coppin State University has been the academic leader and directed or supervised undergraduate (BSN and RN to BSN), graduate (Family Nurse Practitioner and post masters certificate), allied health programs (Health Information Management) and two community nurse managed clinics for more than 25 years. As a health care advocate she has conducted research in the areas of parenting and social support and the relationship between economics, the environment and obesity since 1980. Since 2000 Dr. Copes has received funding continuously to increase the number of minorities in nursing and to support student, faculty and curriculum development. A graduate of the University of Delaware she has been instrumental in the development of community-university partnerships and leveraging these partnerships to create funding streams for resources to support academic programs. Dr. Copes is nationally recognized for her leadership and achievements in the areas of fund development. She has been the architect in building the capacity and infrastructure of the Helene Fuld School of Nursing by increasing undergraduate and graduate enrollment. As the lead administrator and driver for the School of Allied Health, Dr. Copes is implementing the State of Maryland and region’s sole baccalaureate Health Information Management program. During her time as Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Coppin State University, Dr. Copes developed programs that not only gave a voice to student concerns but addressed them in a way to guarantee success. She has received numerous awards and honors including 100 Extraordinary Nurses, Sigma Theta Tau, Gamma Beta Chapter (1996), Who's Who in Nursing and Health Care (2002), Maryland’s Top 100 Women (2009, 2012), Jeanette W. Shamwell Award (2009), Verizon "Past and Present History Makers" Award (2011) and the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce, Leader in Education Award (2012).