University College

Barbara Kopp Miller, Ph.D

Dean
Rocket Hall 2326
419.530.2326
barbara.koppmiller@utoledo.edu

 

As the Dean of University College, Dr. Kopp Miller leads the University’s premier educational and service destination for adult, military, online, transitional, and undecided students. University College provides the foundation for learner-focused services and transformational educational initiatives with more than 2500 students enrolled.

In addition to offering associate and bachelor degree programs in General Studies, Liberal Studies, Professional Studies, and Individualized and Special programs, University College is the home to UToledo Online, the Department of Exploratory Studies with its own Undecided Living Learning Community, Online Degree Programs, High School Outreach, Military Service Center, ROTC, Testing Service Center, Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), and Office of Workforce Development. Dr. Kopp Miller also works closely with all the active and involved University College alumni.

In July 2018, Dr. Kopp Miller was asked to serve as the co-chair of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) initiative for the University. As co-chair, Dr. Kopp Miller works collaboratively across the colleges to transition programs of study towards a self-paced learning environment which allows students to master the skills, knowledge, and competencies needed outside of the traditional classroom environment.  The initial university-wide pilot, which started in spring 2019, continues to grow as the RN to BSN curriculum moves to CBE starting in fall 2019.

Dr. Kopp Miller brings an extensive administrative background to her role as Dean of University College. Prior to being named the Dean in April 2016 by the Board of Trustees, Dr. Kopp Miller served for three years as the associate provost for online education. In this role, her leadership was instrumental in advancing online learning into Quality Matters (QM), a nationally recognized, faculty-driven peer review process used to ensure the quality of online and blended course design. Additionally, she managed the continued growth of online learning while bringing the University into compliance with the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).

Prior to her promotion to Associate Provost for Online Education, she served as the Executive Associate Dean for Research and Quality, the Curriculum Coordinator for the Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Gerontological Practice and as the Administrative Director for the Center for Successful Aging, all administrative appointments within the College of Health Sciences and Human Services.

Under the direction of the Provost, Dr. Kopp Miller represents the University on a wide variety of statewide initiatives coordinated through the Ohio Department of Higher Education including College Credit Plus, Workforce Development, Prior Learning Assessment, Transfer Credit and Competency-Based Education.

Dr. Kopp Miller received her bachelor of science in psychology (1986), her master’s in art in psychology (1990), a Graduate Certificate of Gerontology (1990) and a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (1995) from Bowling Green State University.  She joined the faculty at the University of Toledo in 1991, receiving tenure in 1999 and being promoted to full professor in 2011.

As a researcher, Dr. Kopp Miller has secured over two and half million dollars in external funding, has authored more than twenty (20) peer-reviewed journals, published six conference proceedings, co-developed computer software, written three (3) book chapters, and given over 135 invited talks at the international, national, regional, state and local professional meetings. She has produced an array of media presentations for the University and various professional organizations. 

As a faculty member, Dr. Kopp Miller has taught a diverse array of graduate and undergraduate courses. She has served as the advisor for more than sixty graduate students. In recognition of her commitment to students, she has been awarded both the Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence and the Mentor Award.

As a social psychologist and gerontologist, Barbara continues to be a sought-after speaker for community events. She has given over 150 presentations across the region and state. As a strong community advocate, she served in leadership roles for organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association of Northwest Ohio, the Northwest Ohio Gerontological Association, the Great Lake Collaborative for Autism, Sunset Retirement Communities, Zonta International of Toledo and the University of Toledo Catharine S. Eberly Center.

Dr. Kopp Miller has received the 20 under 40 Award for Community Service (2003), the Heartbeat Award (2004), the Jefferson Award for Public Service (2009), and the Alice H. Skeens Outstanding University Woman Award from the University of Toledo’s Women’s Commission (2012).