Education:  Robert Copeland holds an Ed.D in Educational Leadership from Gardner-Webb University. He completed a M.Ed. in Counseling and Development from Winthrop University. He also completed the Management Development Program at Harvard University.  Dr. Copeland began his undergraduate work at Morehouse College and completed his undergraduate work at Eastern Illinois University where he earned his B.A.

Prior Work: After obtaining his masters degree, Dr. Copeland served as the Psychological Counselor at Clinton Junior College where he was responsible for the counseling and guidance services for a student body of 100+ students.

During his masters program, Dr. Copeland was the Drug Prevention/School Safety Coordinator at Andrew Jackson Middle School Kershaw, S.C. where he was responsible for the implementation of research based drug prevention and safety programs in the middle school setting.

Before returning to school to pursue post-secondary education, he served in numerous capacities in the behavioral healthcare field and in juvenile services. He served as Case Manager/Supervisor/Campus Manager for Alexander Youth Network in Charlotte, North Carolina where was responsible for the service plans for six behaviorally and emotionally disabled clients; responsible for the supervision of approximately thirty behavior management technicians and their immediate supervisors; responsible for the supervision of three behavioral teachers and two recreational therapists; responsible for the daily operation of a residential treatment facility serving 30 clients; and finally responsible for the hiring of staff within the residential treatment facility. Before his tenure at Alexander, Copeland was the Director of the Preparation for Adult Living Program at Nazareth Children’s Home Rockwell, N.C. where he supervised two independent living cottages with six to eight clients and was responsible for the program budget.  Before moving to the south, Dr. Copeland served as a Probation/Court Service Officer in Urbana, Illinois where he made intake decisions whether juvenile detainees should remain incarcerated, be released to their parents, or referred to the State’s Attorney for further court proceedings.  He also prepared written reports to judges and the State’s Attorney and supervised juveniles being detained.

Current Employment/Responsibilities:  As Vice President for Student Affairs at Clinton Junior College (CJC), Dr. Copeland is responsible for the division of Student Affairs which is inclusive of the following: Financial Aid, Residential Life, Athletics, Campus Ministry, Student Activities, and Student Support Services (TRIO).  He also serves as the institutional effectiveness officer for the college.

Areas of Professional Interest/Expertise: Copeland’s research and professional interests include strategic planning, recruitment and retention strategies, college student development, and first generation college student issues. His dissertation explores Student Support Service programs and their effectiveness at the post-secondary level.
Areas of Personal Interest: He is a native South Carolinian who spent the majority of his formative years in the state of Illinois.  He is blessed with a beautiful wife Rahchele (Shelly) and two wonderful children: a son, Rayce 16 and a daughter Rhea 8.  While he has numerous outside interests, his primary focus; when not working; is his family.