A prolific scholar, educator, academic leader, and licensed dental hygienist, Laura Joseph, EdD, has a legacy of making smiles.
An East Northport, New York, native, and Farmingdale State College (FSC) newly retired senior vice president and provost, Joseph recalls an early passion for dental care that was rooted in health promotion.
“As a young woman graduating high school, it was time to think about a career,” she said. “Throughout school I always gravitated toward science. And I was always drawn to dentistry. I don’t know why I was so drawn to it, but I always loved going to the dentist. I loved the dental hygienist. I liked the health care environment, and dentistry excited me.”
A first-generation college student, Joseph carefully considered health science programs at multiple institutions as well as “all the employment advertisements in the newspaper that my mom would save for me,” before choosing FSC for its prominent Dental Hygiene Program.
After earning an associate degree from FSC in 1984, Joseph began working in a local dental office as a hygienist. But she didn’t stop there. “I wanted to do more,” she said. “I told my parents, ‘I’m going to continue my education and get my bachelor’s degree.’”
Joseph went on to receive BS and MS degrees in science from Old Dominion University, and later an EdD in higher education and academic leadership from Columbia University. Along the way, “great mentors opened my eyes to a career in education” and encouraged her to pursue her passion for research. Focused on studying epidemiology, health promotion and wellness, and disease prevention, Joseph took on consulting work overseeing clinical trials across the United States and abroad.
In 1991, Joseph’s career came full circle when she accepted a full-time faculty position in FSC’s Dental Hygiene Department, where she rose to chair, serving from 2003 to 2013. Joseph shares that rejoining many of her former professors as a colleague was a rewarding experience.
“Everyone was encouraging and respectful,” she said. “Being engaged in research allowed me to bring some of the newer knowledge and cutting- edge methodologies back to the department. So, they were looking to me to help move the program forward.”
Over the years, Joseph has served as acting assistant dean of the Santmann School of Health Sciences, as associate provost for academic affairs, and in her most recent role as provost since 2015. In spring 2024, after 35 years of distinguished leadership and dedication, Joseph announced her retirement, which became official one year later.
“I have seen the College through every lens,” she said. “And at each level, you have a different view of how you can advance the institution through your efforts. Both challenging and rewarding, I’ve enjoyed all the work that we’ve accomplished together. It has truly been an honor and a privilege to serve in all these different ways and to contribute to the success of the institution and the success of the students, which is really what it all comes down to.
“We should be proud of where Farmingdale is,” she added. “The College is thriving with a great future ahead.”
As FSC’s chief academic officer, Joseph guided the College to an abundance of FSC achievements, including the launch of the Nexus Center for Applied Learning and Career Development and the Office of Distance Learning, the creation of the Honors Program, advancements in accreditation and institutional assessments, and numerous new academic programs, student support services, and microcredential certificates.
“During her tenure here, this institution has truly evolved,” said FSC President Robert S. Prezant, PhD. “It has become a scholarly juggernaut. With a focus on our students and on faculty and staff development—Laura has been at the heart of all of it. She has a deep-seated love for FSC, and it’s palpable. It shows in everything she does.”
“Laura came to work every day with three things on her mind: benefitting our students, benefitting our faculty and staff, and advancing the mission of this institution that she believes so deeply in,” said Psychology Professor Michael Goodstone, PhD. “Every day she put us first, and she did it with grace. And we all owe her a great debt of gratitude.”
“Whatever the level or the activity, she is always thoughtful in what she does,” said Bill Steedle, ’81, assistant dean for the School of Business and associate professor of visual communications. “Laura considers all the sides of any decision that has to be made, and most importantly, she always leads with her heart. She has left such a big, lasting impact on this College. She will be missed by all of us.”
Outside of FSC, Joseph served as chair of the State University of New York (SUNY) Chief Academic Officers’ Association from 2021 to 2023 and as a long-time member of its executive committee, with significant contributions to SUNY’s mission and operations through her work on multiple task forces. Joseph also served as liaison to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and as commissioner for the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation, where she helped author accreditation standards for dental education programs across the United States.
“Laura considers all the sides of any decision...and most importantly, she always leads with her heart. She has left such a big, lasting impact on this College. She will be missed by all of us.” Bill Steedle, ’81, assistant dean, School of Business and associate professor, visual communications
Joseph has been recognized as a recipient of the prestigious SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and recently with the FSC President’s Award for Academic and Professional Leadership for her “ongoing loyalty and commitment to this College she calls home,” said President Prezant. “At the end of the day, each one of her accomplishments created new opportunities for our students, and her astute leadership has impacted thousands of Farmingdale students’ lives and will have a lasting impact for years to come.”
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