Joseph M. Watson, Ph.D. Vice President of Student Services

ad3ajf@r.postjobfree.com 518-***-**** • New Paltz, NY 12561

Passionate educator and vice president of student services with 24+ years of experience serving two public and four private colleges. Dedicated team leader focused on initiating process improvements to encourage student success and improve quality of education. Collaborative problem solver with strong communication and team building skills. Accomplished professional with a reputation for enhancing enrollment, engagement, and recruitment efforts.

Areas of Expertise include:

Team Leadership & Training

Program Management

Classroom Management

Financial Management

Student Avocation

Event Planning

Office Administration

Building Relationships

Curriculum Development

Student Recruitment

Public Relations

Communication

Professional Experience

Columbia-Greene Community College • Hudson, NY • September 2002 to August 2020

Vice President for Student Services and Dean of Students, October 2019 to August 2020

(Position eliminated due to COVID-19 budget cuts)

Vice President Dean of Students and Enrollment Management, 2006 to October 2019

Directed campus-wide initiatives to improve student retention, engagement, and enrollment. Developed, implemented, and managed a wide range of programs that targeted a diverse student population. Provided daily hands-on leadership to a team of 45 while managing a departmental budget of $4M. Conducted research to develop strategies to enhance student life, activities, athletics, health services, and accessibility services. Oversaw enrollment activities including admissions, registration, career counseling, financial aid, orientation, and veteran services. Maintained a strong understanding of government regulations, ensuring activities followed strict requirements.

Key Accomplishments:

•Led Cultural Diversity, Psychology 101, and Coarc Goes to College courses for nine years as an instructor.

•Maintained positive long-term relationships with community partners, including the REACH Center and mental health counseling services.

•Served as Interim President and President of the Columbia-Greene Association.

•Enriched student life by overseeing daycare, bookstore, and food services ($600k budget with fifteen employees).

•Expanded community outreach activities to boost new student recruitment.

•Boost awareness for campus activities and services by collaborating with the public relations and marketing departments to develop campaigns.

•Improved efficiency by leading the migration to the Banner Student Information System for Admissions from an older legacy system.

•Served as a chair on multiple committees including Campus Safety and Security, Enrollment Management, Student

Life, Adult Student, Off-Campus Life, Graduation, Orientation, Title IX Coordinator, ADA 504 Officer and Diversity Officer.

Dean of Students and Enrollment Management, September 2002 to 2006

Guided area team members, often serving as a role model and advocating for students. Encouraged community relations, recruiting, and admissions team members to achieve enrollment goals. Provided key oversight and management to a $3.5M area budget. Coordinated a wide range of enrollment initiatives to help diversify the student population and encourage underrepresented minorities, veterans, adult learners, intercollegiate athletes, online, and con-currently enrolled students to succeed. Assessed student services to identify new ways to improve student development initiatives.

Joseph M. Watson, Ph.D.

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Key Accomplishments:

•Frequently served in absence of the President, Vice President, and other officers at the college. Serve as Title IX Coordinator, ADA 504 Officer, Diversity Officer, Chief Enrollment Officer, Bias Crimes Officer, Judicial Officer, and Chief Student Affairs Official.

•Partnered with enrollment and student services department to develop strategies aimed at increasing recruitment, engagement, and retention from a diverse population.

•Improved budget and enrollment forecast accuracy by developing a Strategic Enrollment Management Plan using a predictive modeling program.

•Established the Office of Campus Life to enhance the international student experience. Developed unique extra and cocurricular programming.

•Enabled admissions offices to enroll more students and manage an increased number of inquiries.

•Coordinated community Ag Day, handling all event coordination and training with the President on their new role within the community.

•Served as a trusted advisor to the President and a member of the President's Staff.

Additional Experience

Dean of Students Marymount College of Fordham University, Bronx, NY, 2000 to 2002

Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Student Activities St. John’s University, Queens, NY, 1995 to 2000

Instructor, Career Development and the Workplace I St. John’s University, Queens, NY, 1996 to 2000

Teaching Assistant, Part-time I New York University, New York, NY, 1996-2000

Academic Advisor, Part-time I New York University, New York, NY, 1995-1996

Assistant Director of Student Activities, Area Coordinator for Resident Life Elizabethtown College, PA 1993 to 1995

Instructor, Leadership I Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 1992 to 1993

Coordinator of Student Life, Assistant Director of Student Life Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 1991 to 1993

Instructor, Workplace Integration Skills for Engineers I The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA 1990-1991

Education

Certificate of Completion, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration, New York University, New York, NY

Dissertation: The Identity Development and Bicultural Socialization of African American Males - Eighth Grade Through Two Years Out of High School

Master of Education in Counselor Education, The Pennsylvania State University • State College, PA

Bachelor of Art in Speech, Wagner College, Staten Island, NY

Joseph M. Watson, Ph.D.

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Professional & Community Involvement

Operation Unite Inc, President, Past Vice President

Greenville Foundation, Founding Member

4H Leader and Judge, Ulster, Columbia, and Greene Counties

State University of New York Chief Enrollment Officers

State University of New York Title IX Officers

American Association of Community Colleges: Commission for Student Success, Member, (2010-2011)

American Association of Community Colleges: Affiliate Council, National Council on Student Development, (President, 2010-2011)

American College Personnel Association: Commission for Commuter Students and Adult Leaders (Chair, 2000 to Present)

National Association for Student Personnel Administrators, Member (1992 to Present)

Community College Student Government Workshop, Coordinator SMU (TX) (Summer 2004)

Community College Student Government Workshop, Coordinator Goddard College (MD) (Summer 2003)

Shaking Things Up Programming Magazine, Columbia, SC, 2005

Recent Awards

10- & 15-Years’ Service Awards, Columbia-Greene Community College

2004 NAACP Person of the Year Award, Hudson, NY

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