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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
Appointment of University School Headmaster
William Kopas
NSU President George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D., has announced the appointment of Upper School Director William Kopas as the next Head of School for Nova Southeastern University’s University School effective July 1, 2015. Mr. Kopas will succeed Jerry Chermak, Ed.D., who is retiring June 30, 2015 after 33 years with USchool including 16 years as Headmaster.
Mr. Kopas was selected by the President and Provost Ralph Rogers following a national search overseen by a search committee comprised of University School parents, faculty members, administrators and University representatives. The search committee was assisted by the input and candidate feedback received from USchool and University community members.
Mr. Kopas is extremely well-qualified to take USchool to the next level of recognition and achievement as one of the country’s premier JK – 12 independent schools. During the past 5 years as Upper School Director, Mr. Kopas has led the school in the development of innovative programs that earned national and state recognition in areas such as robotics, mathematics, writing, and science research. Similarly, the Upper School garnered national recognition in the arts during Mr. Kopas’ tenure. Student art and writing received numerous national Scholastic Gold Key awards, and one student’s art piece was included in the prestigious national AP Studio Art student exhibit.
Mr. Kopas initiated the Summit on Human Dignity which annually brings nationally recognized speakers on social issues to the USchool campus. During this time, athletes won numerous district and region titles, 2 team state championships and 5 individual state championships. Also, the speech and debate team won 2 state titles and is recognized in the top 1% nationally.
Before coming to USchool, Mr. Kopas served as a teacher, coach and administrator at Brophy College Preparatory (Phoenix, Arizona) and Canisius High School (Buffalo, New York). As principal at Canisius, Mr. Kopas led a multi-million dollar renovation that included a new science center, gymnasium and off-campus athletic fields. At Brophy, Mr. Kopas instituted one of the earliest one-to-one computer programs for students through a grant with Toshiba and Intel. Mr. Kopas’s coaching career includes 15 state swim titles, a national championship, and designation as Coach of the 20th Century in Arizona.
Mr. Kopas has a B.S. from the University of Michigan (where he was a member of 4 Big Ten Championship swim teams, an individual Big Ten Champion, and conference scholar-athlete), M. Ed. from Northern Arizona University and is a candidate to receive his Ed. D. from Nova Southeastern University in 2015.