Jonathan GS Koppell Biography

Jonathan Koppell is the ninth president of Montclair State University and a nationally recognized scholar of public administration and global governance. His career has been defined by a belief that public universities have a profound responsibility — not only to educate students, but to strengthen democracy, expand opportunity and help solve society’s most pressing challenges. To that end, Koppell is driven to establish Montclair as the model of a public-serving university.

Since joining Montclair in 2021, President Koppell has led a period of significant momentum and growth. The University has welcomed the three largest first-year classes in its history and achieved record enrollment and retention, reflecting rising demand for Montclair’s distinctive combination of academic excellence, access and public impact. He also guided the historic merger with Bloomfield College — New Jersey’s only four-year Predominantly Black Institution — marking the first merger between a public and private institution in the state and expanding educational opportunity for generations of students.

Under his leadership, Montclair has advanced as a top-tier doctoral research university and federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, nationally recognized for social mobility and student success. President Koppell has championed the strategic re-imagination of the University’s schools and colleges to align academic programs with the needs of today’s learners and tomorrow’s workforce, while strengthening Montclair’s role as a partner to communities across New Jersey.

Before coming to Montclair, President Koppell served as Dean of the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions and Vice Provost for Public Service and Social Impact at Arizona State University, where he led the nation’s largest comprehensive public affairs college. He began his academic career at Yale University, holding faculty appointments in the School of Management and leading the Milstein Center for Corporate Governance and Performance.

President Koppell earned his doctorate in political science from the University of California, Berkeley and his bachelor’s degree in government from Harvard University. He is a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration and author of numerous books and articles including award-winning “World Rule”, and innovative study of global governance.