Washington, D.C., Sept. 9, 2010—In its October 2010 issue, ESSENCE magazine selected Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) President Michelle Asha Cooper, Ph.D., as a powerful visionary for its “Power Issue,” which celebrates Black women under 40 who are blazing new trails across a range of industries including entertainment, environmental activism, fashion and design, marketing, and sports. Cooper, 37, was chosen among 20 other female leaders “who transformed their dreams into reality before they turned 40.”
The article titled, “Leaders of the New School,” highlights Cooper as a “policy play maker” who helps to shape the national agenda for education. The story further states:
“Top politicos have Cooper on speed dial. As leader of a premier research and policy center, she dispenses advice to Washington insiders on how to best promote college access [and success] and diversity.”
Cooper is considered a respected education leader who has spent a career dedicated to and rooted in the postsecondary community. Cooper has held various leadership positions at the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance at the U.S. Department of Education, Association of American Colleges and Universities, Council for Independent Colleges, and King’s College. She is on the editorial board of the Enrollment Management Journal: Student Access, Finance, and Success in Higher Education. Cooper is also a member of the board of directors for College Bound, National College Access Network, and Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars. A native of Charleston, S.C., she received a B.A. from the College of Charleston, a M.P.S. from Cornell University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, College Park.
“For 40 years, ESSENCE has served as an all-inclusive resource for issues concerning Black women—from our perspective and own voice.” said Cooper. “It warms my heart to be chosen as a leader by this premier publication; hopefully, my selection will, in turn, serve as a testimony and encourage other young Black women to reach for their dreams.”
Other ESSENCE visionaries include Kimberly Anyadike, pilot, youngest Africa-American female to fly cross-country; Shante Bacon, CEO, 135th Street Agency; Valeisha M. Butterfield, deputy director of public affairs, International Trade Administration; Tina Charles, WNBA center, Connecticut Sun; Monif Clarke, CEO and designer, Monif C. Plus Sizes; Kelli Coleman, vice president of business development, GlobalHue; Alfa Demmellash, CEO, Rising Tide Capital; Glory Dolphin, CEO, IQAir North America, Inc.; Rosalyn Durant, vice president/general manager, ESPNU; Saptosa Foster, managing partner, 135th Street Agency; Autumn Adkins Graves, president, Girard College; Natischa Harvey, owner and founder, Fever Footwear; Immaculée Ilibagiza, international activist on peace, faith, and forgiveness; Chekesha Kidd, chief of staff/vice president of business development, Aetna; Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, CEO, Green for All; Peggy Llewellyn, owner/president, 2 Wheel Woman Racing; Racquel Oden, head of product and new business development, Global Investment Solutions, Bank of America Merrill Lynch; KeKe Palmer, award-winning actress, singer, fashion designer, and producer; Dia Simms, general manager/executive vice president, The Blue Flame Agency; and Latoya L. Walls, president/owner, The Bulsard Group.
ESSENCE is the premier lifestyle, fashion and beauty magazine for African-American women. With its motivating message, intimate girlfriend-to-girlfriend tone, compelling and engaging editorial lineup and vibrant and modern design, ESSENCE is the definitive voice of today's dynamic African-American woman. ESSENCE speaks directly to a Black woman's spirit, her heart and her unique concerns. Every month eight million African-American women rely on ESSENCE for editorial content designed to help them move their lives forward personally, professionally, intellectually, and spiritually.
To learn more about Cooper and IHEP, visit the organization’s Web site at www.ihep.org.