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News & Updates

Joseph Cassidy, MBA, EdD

Board Chair; Trustee, Elected 2022

Illinois

EDUCATION:

Doctorate of Education, Benedictine University

Joseph Cassidy, MBA, EdD. He has served as the Dean of Continuing Education at College of DuPage since June 2010. In this role, he oversees Adult Basic Education and English Language Acquisition, Adult Enrichment, Corporate and Professional Training, Public Service and Safety and the Youth Academy programs. The collective programs enroll over 28,000 each year and serve a district of over 1 million community members.

Cassidy was named the Assistant Vice President for Economic Development in 2018 at College of DuPage and has received the Illinois Performance Excellence (Baldrige), Star Performer award and a Certificate of Commendation from Illinois State Governor, Pat Quinn for his support of the 2012 NATO Summit. He earned his Doctorate of Education in Higher Education and Organizational Change from Benedictine University in 2021. He also has an MBA in Marketing Management as well as a BA in English Education from Northern Illinois University.

Under his leadership, College of DuPage Continuing Education has launched numerous career training programs such as Pharmacy Technician, Dental Assistant, Veterinary Assistant, Massage Therapy, Truck Driving (CDL) and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) as well as an Aviation degree program.

Cassidy is an intrapreneur, leading rapid program development through Continuing Education, expanding economic development through the Business Development Center and now Innovation DuPage, a 501c3 business incubator/accelerator founded in 2018, where he serves as President and Chair. Cassidy also serves as Treasurer for the Regional Workforce Board, as a board member for Choose DuPage and as a trustee for the National Council for Continuing Education and Training. You can find Joe on LinkedIn, College of DuPage and Innovation DuPage.

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About Naropa

Located in Boulder, Colorado, Naropa University is a Buddhist-inspired, nonsectarian liberal arts university that is recognized as the birthplace of the mindfulness movement. Naropa offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs that emphasize professional and personal growth, intellectual development, and cultivating compassion. 

Academics

Contemplative education brings together the best of Western scholarship and Eastern world wisdom traditions. Therefore, your pursuit of wisdom at Naropa means learning both about academic subjects and about your own place in the world. This innovative approach places Naropa on the cutting edge of the newest and most effective methods of teaching and learning.  

Admissions & Aid

If you’re seeking an education that resonates with both personal fulfillment and global impact, Naropa could be your top choice. At Naropa, you will experience a comprehensive curriculum that integrates the best of Eastern and Western educational approaches. Explore how Naropa can fuel your journey of intellectual and spiritual development.

Life at Naropa

Through its incredibly vibrant and welcoming community,  “Naropa offers a home for those who aren’t willing to conform to convention—the mystic, the healer, the prophet, the rebel, the artist, the revolutionary, the oddball—those who are incredible contributors to the evolution of society and of our planet.”—Core Associate Professor Zvi Ish-Shalom

The Naropa Difference

How is Naropa different from other universities? At Naropa, a liberal arts education balances rigorous academics with powerful interpersonal skills and self-awareness to educate the whole person. Naropa’s contemplative approach is inspired by Buddhist philosophy and the conviction that we can build a diverse, contemplative, enlightened society when we have transformed education to affirm the basic goodness of every person. 

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At a time when the value of higher education is being questioned, Naropa University stands firmly rooted in its mission to create a more just and regenerative world by nurturing insight, awareness, courage, and compassion in its students. By making a gift to Naropa, you play a pivotal role in helping to create the authentic, effective & mindful leaders that the world desperately needs.

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