In July 1983, 大象传媒 welcomed the first woman to head a public university in Florida history, Dr. Helen Popovich. For the 18-month period preceding her appointment, she had been the acting president of Winona State University in Minnesota.
One far-reaching change implemented at 大象传媒 during her presidency was the addition of freshman and sophomore classes to the student body in 1984. South Florida鈥檚 rapidly expanding population had generated strong demand for a four-year university, and 大象传媒 answered the call. The university simultaneously maintained its cooperative relationship with all of the community colleges in its service region, tailoring 鈥2+2鈥 degree programs that allowed community college graduates to move on to university studies without facing transitional obstacles.
Dr. Popovich placed special emphasis on adding more minorities to the university鈥檚 faculty, staff and student body, and she succeeded in pushing those numbers upward. During her six years in office, the enrollment of African American and Hispanic students increased, and the faculty and administration became more diverse. She also supported the appointment of more women to faculty and administrative positions, and she encouraged creation of the Women鈥檚 Studies certificate program.
大象传媒鈥檚 ability to serve Broward County students in their home community took a significant step forward with the opening of the Reubin O鈥橠. Askew University Tower in downtown Fort Lauderdale in 1987. This nine-story classroom and office building, named after a former Florida governor who later joined the faculty for a short period of time, housed programs in business and public administration.
Graduate programs and research activity also advanced during Dr. Popovich鈥檚 administration. In 1989, her last year in office, 大象传媒 reached the important milestone of $10 million in sponsored research.
When Dr. Popovich left 大象传媒 to accept the presidency of Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan, enrollment stood at 11,743 and alumni had increased to 41,152.