Frank Dooley
Frank J. Dooley is the special advisor for online initiatives at the University of Arizona. In this role, he leads a new era of online education focused on integration and modernization. His work involves aligning Arizona Online and the University of Arizona Global Campus with the university’s land-grant mission.
Dooley is an engaging leader with an international reputation as an innovative teacher and creative researcher. His research interests include logistical and supply chain management for food and agribusiness. He also studies industrial organization in the biofuels and grain industries and the costs of transportation industries.
Prior to this appointment, he served as the Chancellor of Purdue University Global from 2020 to 2024. He developed strategic plans ensuring that Purdue Global delivered high-quality, career-focused online education. He previously was the Senior Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning at Purdue University. In that capacity, he led undergraduate academic affairs, faculty development, student success, and digital education. He also led three strategic initiatives known as "Purdue Moves." These initiatives focused on faculty development, summer expansion, and online education.
Throughout his career, Dooley has been active in national higher education leadership. He served on the board of directors for the American Council on Education. He was a member of the Presidents Forum governing board and Purdue’s representative to the University Innovation Alliance. These roles allowed him to help shape public policy and foster innovative practices across higher education.
Dooley has won numerous awards for his work. These include the Gardner Institute's EDGE Commendation for Innovation in Undergraduate Education in 2021. He was inducted into Purdue’s Teaching Academy in 2002 and the University’s Book of Great Teachers in 2014.
Dooley earned a B.A. from St. John's University (Minnesota). He holds a Juris Doctor from the University of North Dakota and a PhD in Agricultural Economics from Washington State University.