Update from President Laura Sparks

Dear Cooper Union,

In 2017, during my first year at The Cooper Union, together we articulated the following vision for our institution:

The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is dedicated to Peter Cooper’s radical commitment to diversity and his founding vision that fair access to an inspiring, free education and forums for courageous public discourse foster a just and thriving world.

It has been my great privilege to lead this institution and to witness your innovation and passion for pursuing these ideals. As a community, we have demonstrated a better way forward for higher education, for academic and creative experimentation and collaboration, and for thoughtful exploration of the issues that define our times. 

Now, nearly eight years into my tenure here, I am writing to share that I will be moving on from Cooper next month to lead a new set of initiatives beginning in September designed to advance equitable opportunity in historically marginalized communities through civic engagement, philanthropy, and business in Philadelphia, another city I love. I am excited about this new opportunity, but this was, by no means, an easy decision. 

The Cooper Union is a truly special place – ambitious in its cause, exceptional in its results, and unlike any other institution of higher education. The Cooper Union occupies an important place in New York City and, indeed, the world. The institution hosts what is arguably the best architecture, art, and engineering education available and an inspiring humanities and social sciences program that prepares our students to address the urgent issues ahead of them. One only need look at the accomplishments of our incredible alumni to know these things are true. Cooper has served as the birthplace of important American movements that have shaped the way the world understands democracy, human rights, and equitable opportunity. In my new position with FS Investments and FFO Capital, headquartered in Philadelphia, I will lead two foundations and play a leadership role to increase financial inclusion and equitable access to opportunities for social mobility. It is a unique position that builds upon much of my prior work in the philanthropic, community economic development, finance, and education sectors. I look forward to returning to those roots and to my home city, where I will be able to spend more time with my family.

I shared my decision with Malcolm King, our board chair, in late May and, together with the Board, we have been working through transition planning to ensure continuity with Cooper Union’s ambitious agenda. This work will continue through July and August.

I feel confident in making this decision because over these last several years, we have made important progress together in many critical areas – from restoring financial stability and increasing scholarship levels, to reinvesting in our academic programs, broadening student care supports, and diversifying our leadership and faculty. This past academic year revealed new challenges, and I know this community is equipped with the intellect, creativity, and compassion to continue to collaboratively advance a sustainable, long-term path, even in the turbulent times that confront us.

An orderly and comprehensive transition plan is underway, and I am pleased to announce that the Board unanimously selected Malcolm King EE’97, someone whom I greatly respect and wholeheartedly endorse, to serve as Cooper’s full-time, interim president for the upcoming academic year while a search for the next president is conducted. Trustee and Governance Committee Chair Jamie Levitt will assume the post of interim board chair. The Board’s current vice chairs, Aftab Hussain ME’97 and Lou Manzione ChE’75, will continue on in those positions. Together with the college’s outstanding leadership team, The Cooper Union is well-positioned for the upcoming academic year and through the transition to your next president. 

Malcolm and Jamie will be in touch shortly with more details on assembling a presidential search committee and the expected timeline for that work. 
I want to thank the entire Cooper Community for your support, your engagement, and most importantly, your commitment to The Cooper Union’s vibrant future. Together, we have done some spectacular things, and I know there is more to come.

As this community goes about the process of selecting Cooper Union’s 14th president, my hope is that you will make room for embracing new leadership and the new ideas and approaches that you will develop together as part of a long-term partnership to steward this important institution. 

For 165 years, each of us, in our own ways, has contributed to all that Peter Cooper started here. I am grateful to have been a part of that legacy and look forward to seeing what lies ahead.

With gratitude,
Laura
 

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.