Dr. Joseph Youngblood exemplifies the principles of servant leadership through more than three decades of service dedicated to expanding opportunity, strengthening communities, and empowering others to succeed. As Chancellor of Kean University’s Global Campus and regional campuses serving Ocean and Monmouth Counties, he has championed access, equity, and student success, particularly for first-generation college students and students from historically underserved communities across New Jersey. His work reflects a deep commitment to the role of higher education as an anchor institution that leverages its teaching, research, and service missions to create lasting community impact and social mobility.

A noted scholar, researcher, and policy leader, Dr. Youngblood has secured and directed millions of dollars in investments supporting education, healthcare, workforce development, and community revitalization. Through his leadership of the John S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research at Kean University, he has partnered with every New Jersey gubernatorial administration over the past three decades, the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association, the New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus, the New Jersey Legislative Hispanic Caucus, members of Congress, and community leaders, to translate research into public policy and measurable community impact.

His commitment to service extends across six continents through international development initiatives, including Kean University’s partnerships in China, Bermuda, Rwanda and the United Arab Emirates, where he has collaborated with governments, schools, and community organizations to expand opportunities and improve outcomes for vulnerable populations.
A devoted advocate for health equity, Dr. Youngblood has provided servant leadership as a member and Board Chair of two safety-net hospitals serving the residents of Trenton and Camden. He has also devoted himself to the development of future leaders, particularly young Black men, through mentorship, scholarship, and community service initiatives with the 100 Black Men of New Jersey, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, reflecting his enduring commitment to servant leadership and generational impact.

Dr. Youngblood is a magna cum laude graduate of Florida A&M University. He earned both his Master of Arts degree and Juris Doctor from the University of Iowa College of Law and received his Ph.D. in Anthropology and Human Development from the University of Pennsylvania, where he received the Arnold Award for Outstanding Accomplishments in a Doctoral Program.

Dr. Youngblood is married to his college sweetheart, Allyson, a pharmaceutical executive. Together, they are the proud parents of two children: Joseph, a senior at Trinity College (CT), and Norah, a freshman at Oberlin College (OH).