Teresa Kopriva joins the law school from Santa Clara University’s Office of the Provost, as Assistant Dean for External Relations, and as the result of an extensive national search that yielded a pool of exceptionally strong candidates.
Since 2018, Teresa has served as Santa Clara University’s Assistant Provost for Strategic Initiatives, where, in the midst of the pandemic, she deftly guided the University’s strategic planning process and brilliantly brought students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners together to develop the stunning new Sobrato Campus for Discovery and Innovation.
With a background in legal education and alternative dispute resolution, Teresa previously served for 8 years in academic administration at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, most recently as Assistant Dean for Administration where she worked closely with the dean, academic deans, and faculty to implement strategic initiatives for the School. During her tenure there, Teresa helped develop alliances with other colleges and universities in support of diversity pipeline programs, 3+3/dual degree programs, and disability accommodations, and she played an instrumental role in the UIC Law merger. She also managed administrative operations of the Offices of the Registrar, Financial Aid, and Faculty Support, and was responsible for the law school’s community relations, external and internal academic updates and communications, signature academic events, judicial clerkships, externships and field placements, diversity, equity, and inclusion partnerships, donor outreach, board of trustee reports, financial planning, and ABA and AALS accreditations.
Teresa received her JD from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law and her BA in Anthropology and Pre-Professional Studies from the University of Notre Dame. Teresa spends her free time training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and yoga, going on nature hikes, attending concerts, sporting events, and comedy/improv shows, traveling, and spending time with family.