Joel Sebastian is the Director of Innovative Partnerships at the Center on Human Development. He earned his doctorate in Educational Methodology, Leadership, and Pedagogy from the University of Oregon in 2020. His research interests focused on using interim assessment information to impact student achievement. Joel has held several school leadership positions in the Portland Metro area, including building principal at the secondary level for 22 years. His education career began nearly 30 years ago as a special education teacher in southeast Los Angeles. Joel has received several statewide awards, including the Administrator of the Year (2011, OMSEA) and Peace Educator of the Year (2019, WPI).

Joel’s previous work also included leading the Willamette Promise Post-Secondary Pathways program. In this role, he coordinated Oregon’s most extensive dual credit program with two university partners, enrolling thousands of high school students and transcribing over 30,000 college credits in the 23/24 school year. He also led the Willamette Career Connected Learning team, which brings the world of work and industry into the classroom through Industry Chats, internships, job expos, and other activities.

Joel has served on several nonprofit boards and has been an active board member of the World Salmon Council since 2017. Joel is often on local rivers and streams, fly fishing with his youngest son, Isaac. Joel and his spouse of nearly 30 years, Amy, enjoy travel and gardening together. They share their home with two fantastic rescue dogs, Minnie and Iris.