Embracing challenge is a Stanford tradition. "We foster the entrepreneurial spirit in education, in our corporate partnership, in our own work. You can't sit around and wait for things to happen. You have to take action to make them happen." Under DiPaolo's leadership all the SCPD staff are encouraged to be pro-active more than reactive, to suggest and then to implement innovations. The key is to offer the best customer-service, to both the students and to member corporations, and then to make it better still.

"About twenty years ago, I saw that we were reaching a point where technology could bring the benefits of the top-notch university to under-served populations -people who cannot go to university communities, who cannot directly reap the benefits of being part of such a community. I wanted to help create the opportunities for distance learners, no matter where they are." Since DiPaolo assumed his current position in 1988, he has done just that. SCPD is recognized worldwide as a leader in providing distance learning, both in its graduate Academic Programs and its intensive, advanced Professional Educational Programs.

Dr. DiPaolo's detailed bio can be read here.