Biography: Stephen D. Gottfredson

Stephen D. Gottfredson received the baccalaureate degree from the University of Oregon in 1971, and the master’s and doctorate — in psychology — from The Johns Hopkins University. After completion of his studies in 1977, Gottfredson remained at Hopkins for several years as a member of the teaching and research faculty. In 1983, Gottfredson joined the faculty of Temple University, where he chaired the Department of Criminal Justice from 1987 until 1991, when he joined Indiana University’s systemwide School of Public and Environmental Affairs as professor. He later served the school as associate dean for academic affairs.

Gottfredson became dean of VCU’s College of Humanities and Sciences in 1997. The largest academic unit at the university, the college enrolls some 13,862 graduate and undergraduate students in its departments, programs and schools. Under his leadership, research funding quadrupled and new schools and programs of national import were created, such as the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, the School of World Studies, and the forensic science and homeland security and emergency preparedness programs.

Gottfredson currently serves as provost and vice president for academic affairs at VCU. In this position he reports to the president and serves as the chief academic officer of the university. He is responsible for developing and overseeing academic planning; overseeing the college and the schools on the Monroe Park Campus (which includes the College of Humanities and Sciences and the schools of the Arts, Business, Education, Engineering and Social Work, as well as the Graduate School); academic administration; academic affairs; academic technology; community programs; the offices of EEO/AA compliance and diversity advocacy; institutional research and evaluation; international education; the libraries; and student affairs and enrollment services.

Gottfredson’s academic appointments are as professor of government and public affairs, affiliate professor for the Ph.D. in Public Policy Program, and affiliate research professor of psychology. Noted for his expertise in the study of criminal behavior and of social and policy responses to crime, Gottfredson is a regular consultant to national and international governmental agencies concerned with criminal justice policy.

Born in Oakland, Calif., in 1949, Gottfredson lives in Chesterfield County with his wife, Lisa Graff.

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