About the President

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

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

President Joe, as he is affectionately known, has been a social justice educator for more than 30 years and is passionate about student success and access to higher education. Educated as a social worker, President Joe leads with an Ethic of Care, treating all community members with dignity, respect, kindness, compassion and civility.

President Joe’s priorities since joining ÒùÐÔÊÓƵ include developing the University’s next Strategic Plan, securing and elevating academic leadership, and determining the next steps for ÒùÐÔÊÓƵ Atlantic City.

Leading an Anchor Institution in southern New Jersey, President Joe ÒùÐÔÊÓƵ is committed to being in and of the community. He leads collaborations with partners in the community to make a positive impact on the region. President Joe champions the ÒùÐÔÊÓƵ approach to higher education, which includes a focus on civic engagement, developing students to be leaders in their community through service-learning, social justice and other experiential learning opportunities. 

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 has been recognized with numerous outstanding professional awards. He is a member of seven different national honor societies including Omicron Delta Kappa and Golden Key. The American College Personnel Association presented him with the prestigious Annuit Coeptis Award twice as an outstanding new professional and as an outstanding senior professional.

Dr. Bertolino lives with his partner of almost 30 years, Bil Leipold, Ed.D., and their dogs. Together, Joe and Bil have 12 godchildren and two grandsons.