We are deeply saddened to share that our much loved Pace community member, professor of information technology, and friend, Jean Coppola, passed away on Sunday October 29th, 2017.
As an integral part of our community, Jean leaves an incredible legacy behind: the creation and management of the WestchesterSMART Mobile App Development Bowl, which ran for three consecutive years with increasing attendance and success; her outstanding work in her life’s passion of gerontechnology, as a founding member of the Pace University Gerontechnology Program, through the mobile app contest, and through the classes she taught; the passion she instilled in her students; her incredible baking skills; her prowess on the softball field; her choir leadership; as a board member for her alma mater St Francis Prep, and so much more.
One year ago, Jean was recognized by the Westchester County Association for the second time as she received a Women in Tech Award. A month after that, she was honored at Pace for an astounding 30 years of service to the University, our students, and our greater community.
Jean has been a powerhouse in the field of technology, appearing in Westchester Magazine just this summer to discuss the critical issue of cybersecurity, an issue that is “not going to go away.”
She has been known around Pace for being one of the sharpest dressed faculty members on campus. As recognizable for her suits as for her intelligence and creativity, Jean always made an impression whether in front of a class of students or interviewing for any one of the international publications that featured her.
And, thanks to Jean’s passion and determination to share her love of technology in the classroom, her teaching, leadership, and memory will live on in the thousands of students and colleagues she met over the years.
Here are some of the unique ways Jean instilled user experience design and empathy in her students:
Jean, you will be greatly missed by all of us at Seidenberg.
Dr. Coppola is a teaching icon that is surely missed. Great to see her enthusiasm shared by her students in her teaching.
Thank You for sharing!
Nancy Castro, M. S. Ed
Undergraduate Adjunct Faculty
Seidenberg School of Computer Science
I admired Jean so much. The students always talked about her and appreciated all that she did for them. We will miss Jean forever. This is just too sad.
I am greatly sadden by the passing of Jean.
We are so sad about Jean’s passing. She is certainly missed by us all. On behalf of the School of Education, I send my deepest condolences to her friends and family. Her contributions to Pace will be remembered forever!
Xiao-lei Wang (Acting Dean of the School of Education)
I really didn’t know Jean, but by these classroom photos, she certainly taught her students valuable lessons! I’m sure they will miss her!
Patricia SOE
Through a conversation at a FRN luncheon, Prof. Sonia Fritz and I connected with Jean and her work with Alzheimer’s patients who were taught to use tablets to access the photos and music of their pasts. Sonia and I incorporated this practice into our own study of Alzheimers patients. We documented interviews with the patient’s family members and caregivers, reviving the past via the tablets. We involved our students at Sagrado Corazon in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Their response was sensitive and enthusiastic. Their final investigation matured them intellectually and emotionally. Thank you, Jean, for steering us all in this rewarding direction!
I met Jean over 13 years ago. She was a key professor in helping the NYC Department of Education establish our first Computer Forensics Academy in 2004. We the help of NYC public school teachers and Jean and her Pace colleagues, we tapped into a resource we didn’t know was beyond our current thinking. Jean was a powerful yet patient warrior in the world of technology.
I, we and NYC public schools will surely miss you!
From
S. Contes, NYC Administrator
I am so sad and shocked. She was a very nice person. And she played a major role in the DPS program at Pace. My condolences and sincere sympathy to her family during this sad time.
I still can’t believe Jean is gone! She was such a wonderful, amazing colleague and friend. We were all convinced that with all her energy and passion, she would beat this horrible disease. Jesn’s passing just reinforces for me how important it is that we find a way to wipe out cancer. So very sad and hard to accept that she is gone!
Very saddened to hear of Dr. Coppola’s passing! I appreciate her offering her ‘living technology’ students to do coursework here at Atria Senior Living Briarcliff! I only met her a few times, but countless emails and know she was very passionate about her students learning technology that help the elderly! May her legacy live on at Pace U!
I am shocked and saddened by Jean’s death. I didn’t realize that she had cancer. We worked closely together in the Honors College. She was exploding with joy, passion, and energy – and it was contagious. Her students adored her as much as her colleagues. She brought such excitement and enthusiasm to every project. Her students were lucky to have such a role model. I will miss her terribly. My thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones.
Jean was a superstar! She was truly one of the most enthusiastic, dedicated professors I have ever worked with. She was a ray of sunshine. Always smiling, always friendly, never in a bad mood. She was always game for any new project, media opportunity or event. During our time working together – 13 years – she was featured on the front page of the LA Times, on BBC, NPR, CBS, The Journal News, and countless others, all for her work in gerontechnology… with students helping older patients… and her method of sensitivity training of students. I took one of the photos above for one of her media appearances. She kept her upbeat spirit until the end. She will be sorely missed.
I just learned of the passing of Dr. Jean Coppola. I am shocked and saddened by this news. I knew Jean since my Bachelors degree when she was my professor for PC Hardware: Repair and Technology, then as a colleague when I worked there, and again as I came back for my doctorate degree. She was very empassioned about Gerontechnology. Her presentation at one of our research days initially interested me as a possible area of dissertation for me. I have no doubt she would have been an excellent advisor if I went down that road. She will be missed. Rest In Peace, Jean.
I am shocked to read of Jean’s passing. I met her at the Faculty Resource Network (FRN) several years ago and was delighted to hear her speak about her work with senior citizens and technology. Her passion in the Gerontechnology Program was contagious and benefited many older New Yorkers as well as students in the classroom. She brought great joy to many and will be sadly missed. May she rest in peace.
Very sad about Jean’s passing.
She made an impression on me.
Rest in peace my friend.
Thank you
Will miss you and your influence.
Dr. Jean Coppola was a brilliant woman. Jean was welcoming, friendly and spirited.
She leaves her mark.
I never had the good fortune to meet Dr. Coppola in person, but connected with her when doing research on the use of technology and social media with older adults. She was a beacon of enthusiasm and energy in support of seniors, whose lives were certainly improved by her work. Jean’s light will shine on forever through those whom she taught and inspired. She will be sorely missed.