In Memory of Mark Pope - CSJ Founder

It is with enormous personal sadness that I tell you that Mark Pope died last week. Mark had a long list of professional accomplishments, most notably as a founder and leading author in the area of cultural diversity issues in our field, especially GLBTQ career development.   He was president of ACA, NCDA, and many other organizations. He received the National Career Development Association’s highest honor, The Eminent Career Award, and ACA”s Humanitarian award. Mark was the Thomas Jefferson Professor and Curators’ Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Mark described himself in an interview for Rich Feller, for the NCDA Newsletter, as, ‘A poor gay Cherokee with Spina Bifida from southeastern Missouri.” The accomplishments of this man, who had in some views, many strikes against him, are awesome. But more important to me was his unrelenting friendship. He found time for a loving relationship with his husband, Mario Carlos. He had many friends, mentored countless students and other new professionals, wrote prolifically, and ‘walked the talk.’ He was a founding member of CSJ, always came to the annual luncheon, and was a staunch supporter of social justice in everything he did. He was my friend. I shall miss him.

Jane Goodman - CSJ Retiree Representative
​