Joshua Shapiro Ph.D.

Bio

Josh Shapiro is responsible for using data and research to improve the performance and opportunities of the University of California (UC) San Diego Division of Extended Studies. He assists with setting the division's future strategy by identifying and leading innovation and development initiatives. 

Through his leadership with the division's Center for Research and Evaluation and Institutional Research, Shapiro leverages his academic interests in the workforce, economic development and jobs of the future to ensure alignment between courses, skills, and industry needs. Additionally, he has conducted a number of community-based research projects building indicators and dashboards to measure collective impact as well as working with non-profits throughout San Diego County to demonstrate social change. 

Shapiro is deeply embedded in the Educational Technology community and continues to identify and deploy novel initiatives, including micro-credentials and stackable credentials, virtual reality classrooms and new delivery platforms to improve learning outcomes. Through his development role, he was instrumental in creating the first Income Share Agreement between UC San Diego Extended Studies and a Workforce Investment Board. He has been awarded $3.5M in grants and philanthropy for this initiative and gained local and national media attention for delivering an innovative program to serve underrepresented and unemployed individuals. 

Shapiro has taught Research Methodology classes for UC San Diego and is trained in both Qualitative and Quantitative methodologies, with a specialization in labor market data. He holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Sociology from UC San Diego and a B.A. in Social Thought and Analysis from Washington University in St. Louis.