Joanne M Black

Joanne M. Black is a seasoned academic professional with a robust background in criminal justice, law, and higher education administration. She holds a J.D. from Gonzaga University School of Law, where she held numerous leadership roles, and earned her M.S. in Criminal Justice from the University of New Haven and a B.A. in Sociology and Behavioral Science & Law from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Joanne’s career spans faculty and administrative roles, including Assistant Professor of Criminal Studies at Salem College, where she led research on the War on Drugs, developed the criminal studies major, and directed the Pre-Law Program. She has also served as a Title IX Consultant and Program Coordinator for Anti-Hazing Initiatives at Elon University.

Joanne serves as Deputy Chief of Staff for Academic Affairs in the Office of the Provost, where she manages the promotion and tenure process, works with the adjunct faculty union, and supports international faculty with immigration and sponsorship. Her leadership experience is grounded in student engagement, legal education, program development, and administrative excellence. Across all her roles, Joanne remains committed to ethical practices and advancing institutional effectiveness in higher education.