John Smith-Coppes
CEO & President | Joyce University of Nursing & Health Sciences
John Smith-Coppes has transformed Joyce University as CEO and president through strategic vision and educational innovation. Under his leadership, Joyce University has expanded into eight new states while maintaining National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rates of 96.6 percent — exceeding both Utah and national averages.
The university achieved 17 percent enrollment growth in 2024, positioning it for 25 percent revenue growth in 2025. John has implemented a successful hybrid learning model while earning recognition as a top workplace and launching The Spark Initiative to drive innovation in nursing education during a critical nationwide shortage.
What are you most looking forward to accomplishing in 2025?
Further developing and maturing our innovation incubator. U.S. higher education is ripe for disruption, and nursing education in the U.S. is stuck. I owe it to our community to teach and train the most capable nurses in a manner that is efficient, cost-effective and of the highest quality. Student needs are changing, and my executive team is poised to adopt, create and provide innovative solutions in didactic instruction that will shape and disrupt the education landscape in the coming years. Our time is now.
How has your company grown recently? What major achievements has your company accomplished under your leadership?
Students are at the heart of everything we do. Over the past two years, we have driven sustained growth in student enrollment and expanded access to nursing education nationwide. In 2024 and 2025, we have been approved to offer nursing programs in nine new states beyond Utah. Additionally, in 2023 and 2024, we successfully facilitated international student clinical experiences in Honduras, Guatemala and Belize and will launch remote student clinical experiences in Alaska in 2025.
