Biography

Joseph F. Connell is the Assistant Vice President of Student Success at Ramapo College of New Jersey. In this position, Joseph leads academic advising, career development, early alert, new student experience, opportunity programs and placement testing as part of the College’s Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Team. During Joseph's tenure at Ramapo, the College has begun to embrace a culture of student success highlighted by over a 5% increase in transfer student retention rates. Before coming to Ramapo, Joseph held positions as the Director of Academic Services and Testing at Dutchess Community College, Assistant Director of the Education Enrichment Center at William Paterson University and the Coordinator of Commuter Students in the Office of First Year Programs and Leadership Development at Marist College. In addition to his administrative roles, Joseph has spent time teaching applied psychology, career development, first-year student success, peer leadership and college preparatory courses.

Joseph earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Lycoming College and a master’s in College Student Personnel from Miami University (OH). He has presented, served and received awards for his work in several national higher education organizations including ACPA, AACRAO, Hobsons/Starfish, NACADA and NASPA. Most recently, Ramapo received Hobsons' 2016 Education Advances award for its use of Starfish and was one of 24 colleges chosen for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation funded EDUCAUSE program - Integrated Planning & Advising for Student Success (iPASS) in higher education. Throughout his career, Joseph's professional work has concentrated on educational access, retention, and success.

When not working on a college campus or helping students get to a college campus, Joseph can be found enjoying time with his family, especially coaching their sports teams!