At a glance
“Dr. Poppo’s student-centered approach to leadership, and her focus on preparing a 21st-century workforce, aligns perfectly with Alfred State’s values and goals,” said Alfred State President Dr. Skip Sullivan. “We are delighted that she has accepted our offer and that she will soon be an essential part of supporting our mission.”
Dr. Kristin Poppo, of Belmont, Mass., has accepted the position of vice president of Academic Affairs at Alfred State, effective July 16. Most recently, Poppo has been associate provost and executive director of regional centers and the National Institute of Teaching Excellence at Cambridge College. “Dr. Poppo’s student-centered approach to leadership, and her focus on preparing a 21st-century workforce, aligns perfectly with Alfred State’s values and goals,” said Alfred State President Dr. Skip Sullivan. “We are delighted that she has accepted our offer and that she will soon be an essential part of supporting our mission.”
“Alfred State's emphasis on civic engagement, experiential learning, sustainability, and relevant degree programs is visionary and serves as a model for all of higher education,” Poppo said. “I am passionate about teaching and learning and found the opportunity to provide academic leadership at an institution that is closely aligned with my values irresistible.”
Poppo has an extensive background in both education and community service. She has held teaching positions at colleges in Vermont, North Carolina, and Washington. She has also been a minister at Madura Congregational Church in Wakefield, Kan., and an associate minister at Second Congregational Church in Beverly, Mass. Poppo was head of graduate and professional studies at IslandWood/University of Washington from 2001 to 2008 and director of extended learning at Olympic College, a Washington State community college, from 2008 to 2011. Her history with online educational programs; creating educational partnerships; and increasing experiential, environmental, and multicultural education at various institutions has resulted in significant achievement in increasing budget efficiencies, expanding program offerings, and developing new resources for students.
“As both a teacher and a leader, my goal is to empower others to grow and thrive while improving their lives and building stronger communities,” she said. “My deepest passion is to create a more just and compassionate world and to inspire others to share this commitment. My work in faith communities, non-profits, and higher education has been about service and providing all people the opportunity for success. I will be deeply committed to every student and work diligently to help them complete degrees that will enhance their lives.”
Poppo has served in the Solomon Islands as a community development worker/medical discharge with the U.S. Peace Corps and has held chaplaincy internships at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital and Goddard Chapel at Tufts University. She has also served on numerous committees in leadership and membership positions, from the Beverly Interfaith Council in Massachusetts, where she promoted interfaith dialogue and religious tolerance among all religious groups, to the North Kitsap Fishline, where, as president, she led the group through the strategic planning process to expand programs for distributing food to the homeless and children in the area. She has also published articles and given numerous presentations on pedagogy, compassion, environmental education, diversity, and many other topics in the United States and Canada and has been awarded two fellowships.
Poppo received her Ph.D. in the social and philosophical foundations of education from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro; her master’s in divinity from Harvard Divinity School in Cambridge, Mass.; her master’s in teaching/environmental communications from Antioch University – New England in Keene, N.H.; and her bachelor’s degree in philosophy and religion with a minor in women’s studies from Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y.