About the President

A Biography of Joe Bertolino, Ed.D., President

Joe Bertolino, Ed.D., was named the sixth President of ºÚÁÏÉç on March 3, 2023.

Affectionately known as President Joe, he brings more than 30 years of experience as a social justice educator and remains deeply committed to student success and equitable access to higher education. Trained as a social worker, President Joe leads with an Ethic of Care, emphasizing dignity, respect, kindness, compassion, and civility for all members of the ºÚÁÏÉç community.

Since joining ºÚÁÏÉç, President Joe has prioritized key initiatives, including developing and implementing the University’s next Strategic Plan, bolstering academic leadership, and charting a vision for ºÚÁÏÉç’s Atlantic City campus. Under his leadership, the University has reaffirmed its mission of social justice through education, advocacy and action. President Joe has also fostered partnerships with community colleges, organizations and corporate entities to expand dual-credit programs, create degree and certificate offerings and strengthen career pathways for students.

Leading an Anchor Institution in southern New Jersey, President Joe is dedicated to integrating ºÚÁÏÉç into the fabric of the local community. He works collaboratively with community partners to positively impact the region and advance civic engagement. A champion of experiential learning, President Joe promotes ºÚÁÏÉç’s commitment to service-learning, social justice and leadership development opportunities that prepare students to be active, engaged citizens.

He is a member of seven national honor societies, including Omicron Delta Kappa and Golden Key, and serves on numerous professional boards and associations. Currently, he is president of LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education, a member of the Executive Board of the American Association of University Administrators (AAUA) and serves on the Council of Presidents for the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB).

Education

Dr. Bertolino holds a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration & Leadership Development from Columbia University; a Master of Social Work from Rutgers University, Camden; and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology/Sociology from the University of Scranton.

Career

From 2016 to 2023, Dr. Bertolino led Southern Connecticut State University, a public institution of 9,000 students in New Haven, Connecticut. There, he pursued several key priorities, including raising the university’s profile; establishing Southern as Connecticut’s public university for social justice; expanding community outreach and partnerships; building strategic enrollment and streamlining students’ paths to earning a degree.

Prior to joining Southern in 2016, Dr. Bertolino was President of Lyndon State College in Vermont from 2012-2016. From 2004-2012, he held multiple roles at Queens College/City University of New York, including Vice President for Enrollment Management, Vice President for Student Affairs, Executive Assistant to the President and Chair of the Department of Student Personnel.

He also held the roles of Dean for Community Development, Academic Advisor and Associate Dean for Residential Life at Barnard College in New York from 1996-2004. Dr. Bertolino teaches leadership development classes for undergraduate and graduate students.

Dr. Bertolino lives with his partner of more than 30 years, Bil Leipold, Ed.D., and their dogs. Together, they are proud godparents to 12 godchildren and grandparents to two grandsons.