Joe Catrino joins Dartmouth as the inaugural executive director of the Dartmouth Center for Career Design and will lead the transformation of the current Center for Professional Development.
Joe brings his expertise in integrating design thinking into career services to support Dartmouth community members in preparing for wide-ranging career paths. Embracing a visionary approach about career design, he leads an expanding team of dedicated professionals who are committed to empowering students and others as they identify their key strengths, build professional skills, and explore career possibilities. In addition to supporting students, the Center will also grow alumni engagement to create continued opportunities for personal and professional development beyond Dartmouth.
Most recently, Joe served as executive director of Career & Life Design at Trinity College, where he launched a design ecosystem and innovative programs to help individuals apply design thinking principles to navigate their professional journeys. This includes career exploration, skill development, job transitions, and long-term career planning. As a thought leader in this field, Joe also taught a course called Designing Your Future Work and initiated new programs to equip participants with the mindset and tools to shape a fulfilling career path that aligns with their strengths, values, and aspirations.
Joe is a passionate advocate for student success and lifelong career innovation, frequently presenting at national conferences on design thinking, personal branding, and the future of work. With more than 20 years of experience in higher education, Joe draws from experience in admissions and enrollment, marketing, career development, and teaching in his previous roles at Quinnipiac University and the University of Hartford.
He is currently pursuing his PhD in instructional systems and workforce development from Mississippi State University. He holds an MBA from Quinnipiac University, an MA in communication from the University of Hartford, and a BA in history with a minor in communications and public relations from Marist College.