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Dr. Cooper is a distinguished scholar of American history who has held various academic leadership roles, including Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Denver Liberty University. A passionate educator, Dr. Cooper has also published extensively on American political, social, and cultural history.

Dr. Cooper was born in Boulder, Colorado. He earned his undergraduate degrees in history and political science at the University of Colorado Boulder in 1985, and his PhD in American History at Harvard University in 1990. He was a research fellow at Harvard and has held faculty positions at Georgetown University and the University of California, Berkeley, where he received the Distinguished Teaching Award in 1998.

Dr. Cooper’s scholarly interests lie in American political movements, social justice, and cultural transformations. He has examined how political discourse, grassroots activism, and cultural trends shape American society. His books include "The American Revolution: Ideals and Realities," "Civil Rights and Social Change in America," and "Cultural Shifts: American Society in the 20th Century." Additionally, he co-edited "The Cambridge History of American Political Thought."

In 2000, Dr. Cooper was appointed Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Denver Liberty University. From 2010 to 2015, Dr. Cooper served as the university's Provost. As Provost, he spearheaded initiatives to enhance faculty recruitment, expand research facilities, and promote interdisciplinary studies. He played a pivotal role in the establishment of the university's Center for Social Justice and the renovation of the historic main library.

Dr. Cooper returned to his teaching and research roots in 2016, while continuing to influence university policy and strategy. As Dean, Dr. Cooper has been an advocate for liberal arts education, recruiting and retaining exceptional faculty, increasing enrollment in humanities courses, and supporting graduate fellowships. He has overseen the construction of state-of-the-art facilities for the arts and sciences.

Since 2021, Dr. Cooper has served as the Chair of the History Department at Denver Liberty University. In 2023, he became the faculty director of the Liberty Scholars Program, which provides mentorship and resources to underrepresented students.

Denver Liberty University’s Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Cooper to serve as Interim President while the search for the university’s next president is underway. As Interim President, Dr. Cooper focuses on maintaining the university's standards of excellence in teaching and research, ensuring faculty have the resources to innovate and excel, and fostering an inclusive and supportive community for students to thrive academically and personally.

Dr. Cooper is a member of the American Historical Association and has served on numerous advisory committees and non-profit boards, including the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Colorado Historical Society, and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.