Teaching Assistant Professor David Hopping has been named director of the iSchool's Workforce Development/Continuing Education Program. Hopping's primary responsibility in this new role will be to develop a strategic vision and framework, which includes defining the curriculum, audience, and modes of delivery. He will also support the recruitment of industry and agency partners and supervise the management of continuing education/nondegree student enrollment.
Hopping earned his PhD in sociology from Illinois and was a visiting assistant professor in the Sociology Department before joining the not-for-profit community development organization Generations of Hope, serving as executive director prior to joining the iSchool as a lecturer. It was his experience in the nonprofit sector, combined with his time in the classroom, that made him interested in the program director position.
"This position seemed like it might be an opportunity to weave these threads together—developing innovative learning opportunities that have tangible social impact," he said.
In addition to following up on existing initiatives to help library and information science professionals remain competitive in the job market, Hopping will represent the iSchool on larger workforce development initiatives, such as the University's new Discovery Partners Institute.
"I'm anxious to tap the creativity of the amazing innovators we have in the iSchool, many of whom have shared some very out-of-the-box ideas with me already," he said. "It's no stretch to imagine the iSchool stepping into a catalyst role within the University, bridging departments and disciplines to enhance their own workforce development plans with human-centered technology education."