Donna Popovich’s Leadership and Commitment to Excellence Earn CUPA-HR’s Highest Honor

2020 Higher Education HR Awards

Donna Popovich, executive director of human resources at the University
of Tampa, is the recipient of CUPA-HR’s 2020 Donald E. Dickason Award.

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From her first CUPA-HR volunteer leadership role as a founding member of the association’s Florida Chapter in 1996 to her term as chair of the national board of directors in 2017, Donna Popovich has been a steady, thoughtful, knowledgeable presence in the association and has given immensely of her time, her talent and her passion for the work of higher ed human resources.

“Donna exemplifies the values and mission of CUPA-HR in both thought and deed,” says David Blake, vice president of administration at California Western School of Law. Blake has served with Popovich in several capacities within the association. “Donna is one of the most steady, competent and supportive leaders I have had the pleasure of knowing,” says Blake. “She has a way of connecting with you in a deeply personal and meaningful way, and she makes every person she engages with feel valued and appreciated.”

It was that appreciation for people — and especially the people she worked with — that led Popovich to human resources more than 25 years ago. She was chief of staff for the president of the University of Tampa at that time, and the university was facing an economic downturn and significant budget cuts. When the president asked her to take the director of HR position, she was hesitant, but her desire to support him and the many faculty and staff members at the institution won out. She took the position, and she never looked back. She led HR through that time with her characteristic compassion and kindness and has championed many positive changes at the university over the years.

“Donna exemplifies the values and mission of CUPA-HR in both thought and deed, and she is one of the most steady, competent and supportive leaders I have had the pleasure of knowing.” – David Blake, Vice President of Administration at California Western School of Law

Soon after she moved into her HR role, she found CUPA-HR, where she has engaged with countless people across the association and throughout higher ed in her 20 years of service to CUPA-HR — she’s held leadership roles at the chapter, regional and national levels and on the majority of the association’s committees and task forces at one time or another. She is a regular presenter at CUPA-HR conferences and has contributed to many other CUPA-HR learning and development initiatives, events and resources. She has also contributed to CUPA-HR’s Wildfire Program for early-career higher ed HR professionals. And in 2014, she received CUPA-HR’s Distinguished Service Award.

“Donna is truly a leader of leaders,” says CUPA-HR President and CEO Andy Brantley. “Her impact on higher education and on CUPA-HR has been, and continues to be, incredible. I am so honored that I had the opportunity to work with her in many national, regional and chapter leadership roles. I am even more honored that she has become a lifelong friend.”

Get to know a little more about Donna Popovich, her higher ed HR career journey and her advice for early-career professionals in Episode 1 of CUPA-HR’s podcast “Time-Out With Tammi and Tyler.”

 

About the Donald E. Dickason Award:
The Donald E. Dickason Award, named after CUPA-HR’s founder, is the association’s highest honor, recognizing an individual for exceptional leadership and service to CUPA-HR. Thanks to support from TIAA, the award comes with an $8,000 contribution to the recipient’s institutional endowment or a scholarship fund. Learn more.