Machli Joseph, Ed.D

Dr. Joseph is a seasoned higher education leader with a robust track record in student services, college athletics, program management, and institutional leadership. He champions a student-centered, equity-driven approach to academic administration and is deeply committed to fostering inclusive learning environments that promote the success of both faculty and students. His career spans leadership roles at the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, Centenary University, Seton Hall University, Baruch College (CUNY), and, most recently, as Assistant Director of Hudson County Community College’s Continuing Education & Workforce Development department.

Dr. Joseph has built a strong portfolio in nonprofit grant work, successfully securing and managing millions of dollars in prestigious local and national grants that advance equity and opportunity for historically marginalized communities. He partnered with faculty at Johns Hopkins University and Colorado Mesa University to secure and manage these funds. He served as Managing Director, Principal Investigator (PI), and Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) of the NIH-funded ComPASS initiative ($10.7 million), leading a community-based structural intervention addressing health and education disparities for incarcerated individuals in rural state prisons. His service as a scientific peer reviewer for NIH R01 proposals further demonstrates his credibility in health equity and research evaluation. His leadership roles—including Director of Education, Outreach & Development and Director of Advocacy—have helped shape transformative initiatives funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation ($325,000), the Judy Family Foundation ($30,000), and Baltimore’s Promise ($50,000), targeting justice-impacted students, single mothers, and underserved youth. He also served as a key architect of the $1.7 million Andrew W. Mellon Foundation–funded Clemente Course and Neighborhood Access Program, which expands access to the humanities for individuals facing systemic barriers to education. His deep knowledge of grant compliance, stakeholder engagement, and program design positions him as a visionary leader in leveraging philanthropy and public funding to address structural inequities. In his role at Hudson County Community College, Dr. Joseph provides strategic leadership to advance the college’s mission of accessible, transformative education that fosters economic mobility and equity. Reporting to the Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs and collaborating with academic deans, faculty, and cross-functional teams, he drives the strategic integration of academic priorities with workforce innovation, preparing learners for high-wage, high-demand careers that strengthen the regional community. Central to this work is his stewardship of the federal Perkins V grant, aligning it with HCCC’s commitment to closing equity gaps and empowering historically underserved populations. By forging dynamic partnerships with industry leaders, K–12 districts, and workforce development boards, Dr. Joseph expands experiential learning opportunities, modernizes CTE pathways, and scales initiatives such as apprenticeships, dual enrollment programs, and bilingual recruitment, supporting the college’s vision of becoming a national model for inclusive economic growth.