Dr. Poppo was hired as vice president for Academic Affairs in July 2014, serving in that role until she was named provost in January 2016. As provost, Poppo works to affirm that Alfred State’s purpose and mission are providing exceptional academic programs in the context of a robust college experience.

Prior to joining Alfred State, Poppo was the associate provost and executive director of regional centers and the National Institute of Teaching Excellence at Cambridge College. She has also held teaching positions at colleges in Vermont, North Carolina, and Washington. Poppo was head of graduate and professional studies at IslandWood/University of Washington from 2001 to 2008 and director of extended learning at Olympic College, a Washington State community college, from 2008 to 2011.

Her extensive background includes both education and community service. Poppo has been a minister at Madura Congregational Church in Wakefield, KS, and an associate minister at Second Congregational Church in Beverly, MA. She also served in the Solomon Islands as a community development worker/medical discharge with the US Peace Corps and has held chaplaincy internships at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital and Goddard Chapel at Tufts University.

Poppo received her PhD in the social and philosophical foundations of education from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro; her master’s in divinity from Harvard Divinity School in Cambridge, MA.; her master’s in teaching/environmental communications from Antioch University – New England in Keene, NH; and her bachelor’s degree in philosophy and religion, with a minor in women’s studies from Colgate University in Hamilton.