Celebrating Dean Pope-Davis
Vision, Values and Lasting Impact
- Don Pope-Davis.
Signature programs
Dean’s Postdoctoral Fellows program
At center of Pope Davis’ leadership was the Dean’s Postdoctoral Fellows Program, which focused on assembling scholars whose interests align with the college’s research and academic needs.
- Dean’s Postdoctoral Fellows program: (established in 2019) cohort model that has hosted 14 postdoctoral researchers (two-year appointments), with five converted to tenure-track positions.
Dean’s Big Idea Research Innovation Grants over $1.5M invested to date.
Launched in 2020, the second round “Big Idea II” began with a $1M investment that provided awards of $100,000 per recipient.
Grants prioritized community-focused translational research to increase healthy-living opportunities for children, adults and families.
Graduate Interdisciplinary Research Initiative (GSIRI)
GSIRI, which funds interdisciplinary graduate student collaborations to address pressing educational issues.
Rankings, programs and academic growth during Pope Davis’ tenure
- College ranking (education): 27 of 274 (top ~9.9%)
- Ranking among public universities: 19; among Big Ten institutions: 6 of 14; graduate education schools in Ohio: No. 1
- Department highlights: Kinesiology PhD ranked No. 1 (U.S.) by the National Academy of Kinesiology (size-adjusted); MS in Sports Management ranked No. 7 (U.S.), No. 9 (world), and No. 1 among Big Ten by SportBusiness
- The college more than doubled nationally ranked graduate education specialty programs from three (2023) to seven (2024). Top 10 specialty programs doubled from three to six
- Launched five new degree programs, 10 new certificate programs, four new minors, and one new endorsement program.
- Three endowed professorships were established across the college:
- Nina Mae Mattus
- Mary Fried
- Daniel Tanner Foundation Endowed Professorship in Curriculum Studies Adolescence and Democracy
Fundraising and scholarships
During Dean Pope-Davis’ tenure the college benefited from transformational philanthropic support. From alumni, friends and the dean himself.
More than $6 million in student scholarships awarded over Pope-Davis’ tenure. In addition, the university also introduced the Time and Change: The Ohio State Campaign, which was the most ambitious fundraising drive in its history.
The college’s remarkable alumni and friends contributed a total of $89.3 million, far surpassing our original goal of $60 million.
Among these efforts is a deeply personal contribution from Dean Don Pope-Davis. He personally gifted funds to establish a new Counseling Psychology Scholarship Fund dedicated to reviving this degree program at Ohio State and strengthening the mental health workforce across the lifespan.
This endowment will provide one or more scholarships to one or more students enrolled in the program, directly supporting the development of practitioners equipped to meet the growing mental health needs for adults, children and families. The fund stands as a testament to the dean’s lifelong commitment to advancing mental health care and training.
Other major scholarships and philanthropic milestones
Pope-Davis was instrumental in securing $60M in state-funded support for the renovation of Campbell Hall. New facilities will include modernized wet/dry labs, interview and collaborative spaces, and a teaching kitchen. The project reduces the college’s footprint while enhancing research and teaching environments.