Angela Hoffman-Cooper

Background

About Angela Hoffman-Cooper

I am an experienced organizational leader and scholar with a passion for advancing opportunity through innovative strategies, data-driven decision-making, and a commitment to human-centered design. With a PhD in Education and Human Resource Studies and over 15 years of experience, my career has been dedicated to improving outcomes for people and organizations. As the Director of Admissions at Montana Technological University—Montana's Special Focus STEM University, I have successfully led the implementation of a strategic recruitment plan, resulting in a 17% growth in new first-time enrollment; the largest incoming class in over 15 years. I use key performance indicators and data analysis to drive decisions, inform strategy, and improve processes, while supporting a dynamic team of nine individuals including evaluators, recruiters, event coordinators, and marketers. I align fiscal and human resources with our goals and ensure that marketing initiatives and outreach efforts serve our constituents. Previously, as an Executive Director and Director with member-serving education leadership, assessment, and research associations, I combined my expertise in non-profit management, program development, and instruction to support scholars and practitioners. I implemented dynamic events for up to 2,500 attendees, ranging from conferences and symposiums to professional development institutes and workshops, ensuring all aspects were accessible and effective. My work focused on building partnerships with vendors, stakeholders, and collaborating organizations, providing valuable learning experiences, conducting assessment and evaluation, and fostering community engagement. Additionally, I have a background in human-centered design thinking, having applied it in various contexts, from student success programs to leadership development initiatives. I designed curricula and programs that guided students in the approaches of design thinking and its application to their lives and career, while facilitating workshops for leaders on how to create environments that support innovation and success. In addition to my professional experience, the co-constructed research I've conducted with people with lived experience in foster care is a personal passion derived from my own lived experience in foster care. As a research consultant, I have conducted studies on the impact of policies and programs for and with people with experience in foster care and made data-informed recommendations that contribute to systemic change. Let's design a better future together.