Springfield College Names Edward R. O'Connor as Provost

Springfield, MA (10/13/2026) — Springfield College President Mary-Beth Cooper has announced the appointment of Edward R. O'Connor, PhD, MBA, FACHE, as the College's next provost. Dr. O'Connor brings extensive experience in academic leadership, health sciences, interdisciplinary education, and student success to Springfield College.

O'Connor most recently served as provost and executive vice president for Academic, Research, and Student Affairs at Kansas City University (KCU), where he provided leadership and strategic direction across the university's academic, research, and student affairs operations and held the title of Professor of Neuroscience and Pharmacology. In addition, he continues to serve on the Board of Directors for the Center for Practical Bioethics, a non-profit organization whose mission is to raise and respond to ethical issues in health and healthcare.

Prior to joining KCU, O'Connor served as provost and chief academic officer at Creighton University and as a professor in both the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Medicine. During his tenure at Creighton, he led efforts to strengthen cross-campus collaboration, restructure faculty and research opportunities, and expand interdisciplinary and interprofessional education. He also helped establish the Center for Interprofessional Practice, Healthcare Education, and Research.

"Dr. O'Connor brings a proven record of academic leadership and a deep understanding of what it takes to help an institution move from vision to action," said President Mary-Beth Cooper. "His success as a provost, his experience across the health sciences and broader academic enterprise, and his ability to bring people together will be tremendous assets to Springfield College. Just as important, he lives the kind of whole-person approach to education that resonates deeply with our Humanics philosophy. He understands that educating students is about developing the whole person, and he brings that perspective to his work as an academic leader and educator."

O'Connor's career in higher education also includes several leadership positions at Quinnipiac University, including dean and professor of Biomedical Sciences in the School of Health Sciences, professor of Medical Sciences at the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine, and executive director of the National Institute for Community Health Education. At Quinnipiac, he also served as head coach of the men's cross country team.

O'Connor earned a Doctor of Philosophy from the Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience at Albany Medical College Graduate School of Health Sciences; a Master of Business Administration in Health Care Leadership from Yale School of Management; and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the State University of New York at Albany.

O'Connor will begin his tenure at Springfield College in October.