James Cofer, president of Louisiana-Monroe, recently joined the Division I Board of Directors.

Cofer replaced former Florida Atlantic President Frank Brogan, who accepted a new position as chancellor of the State University System of Florida. Cofer represents the Sun Belt Conference.

Since Cofer’s arrival at Louisiana-Monroe in 2002, the institution launched an $80 million capital campaign that included updated residence halls, a renovated student union and security improvements. Cofer also led an effort to create a school of visual and performing arts and expanded the college of pharmacy. Financial gifts have increased significantly.

Cofer has a background in finance, having served as vice president for finance and administration in both the University of Missouri and University of Arkansas systems and in a similar role for the University System of Georgia board of regents. He was also the chief fiscal officer at Mississippi. He taught at Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi College, Jackson State and Mississippi State and continues to publish research on the effects of student loan debt on student decisions.

He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Mississippi State and a doctorate of education from Arkansas.