President Cofer's Biography
Known as the leader of an incredible renaissance at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, Dr. James E. Cofer, Sr. is in his seventh year of serving as the university's president.
When he and his wife Deborah arrived in 2002, they immediately began the "Reclaiming Our Campus" campaign, which involved over 2,000 students, faculty, staff, community leaders, and area citizens who cleaned up and repainted the campus. Soon after, Dr. Cofer developed an ambitious visionary plan that included more than $70 million in new construction and renovations on campus. Students, whose academic achievements continue to proliferate every year, now enjoy the newest, up-to-date residence halls, state-of-the-art "smart classrooms," and a completely renovated Student Union Building.
Shortly after arriving on campus, Dr. Cofer saw the potential for a school that would combine art, music, theatre and dance. The School of Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) was created in 2003. In 2007, VAPA announced the Louisiana Lyric Opera, a professional music theatre and cultural magnet of Northeast Louisiana, which employs renowned talent, including Broadway performers.
Another of Dr. Cofer's initiatives expanded the College of Pharmacy, Louisiana's only state-supported pharmacy program. In 2005, University administration purchased the three-story, 132,000-square-foot Bienville Building from State Farm Insurance. The new building, which has received significant renovations to include cutting-edge labs, now houses the College of Pharmacy.
In addition, ULM administration secured more than $5.5 million for the College of Pharmacy between 2002-2006. After an onsite visit in 2006 by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, ACPE officials noted that the College of Pharmacy, which now has satellite campuses in Baton Rouge and Shreveport, has "experienced a major transformation and the College enjoys a new vitality and sense of purpose."
President Cofer has also focused on the importance of intellectual exchange at ULM and in the community. In 2003, the Presidential Lyceum Series began. This popular lecture series has featured national speakers such as Bill Cosby, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Ben Stein, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Steve Forbes.
ULM's constituents have taken notice of the university's improvements for which Dr. Cofer primarily credits faculty and staff. Between 2002 and 2006, financial gifts to the university increased by 58 percent and the number of donors increased by 41 percent.
Extensive financial experience in state government and university financial affairs has enabled Dr. Cofer to help revivificate ULM. Dr. Cofer, who eliminated a $4 million deficit in auxiliary services at ULM, understands firsthand the financial needs of an institution of higher education due to his service as Vice President for Finance and Administration for the University of Missouri and University of Arkansas Systems. He also served as Vice President for Finance and Administrative Services and Treasurer for Murray State University, as well as Vice Chancellor for Fiscal Affairs and Treasurer of the Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia. President Cofer was also Chief Fiscal Officer for the State of Mississippi.
During his academic career, President Cofer has taught at the University of Missouri-Columbia, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Mississippi College, Jackson State University, and Mississippi State University. President Cofer has published and continues to publish articles and book chapters on the effect of student loan debt on student decisions, and has made numerous national and international presentations.
During his administrative and professional tenures, he has been active in state, civic, and professional organizations, including the National Association of College and University Business Officers, Eisenhower Foundation International Advisory Council, and the Missouri Commission on College Affordability. Awards for his distinguished leadership and public service include Public Administrator of the Year by the American Society for Public Administration.
President Cofer received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and his Master of Business Administration from Mississippi State University, and received his Doctorate of Education in Higher Education Administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. His dissertation about student financial aid and student retention was awarded the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators Melvene Hardee Dissertation of the Year Award.
While it's easy to recognize the extraordinary physical transformation of ULM's campus, there's another less tangible, but equally vital, change: the indelible spirit and confidence of the students, faculty and staff who live and work at ULM.
After visiting ULM's campus, University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors chair Jimmy D. Long said, "Every door we entered, a delightful group of students was meeting us there, answering questions and welcoming each of us to the campus. That is something we all appreciated. It is evident that there's a great spirit of optimism today at ULM, and it's no wonder given the tremendous, wonderful changes we've seen."