Josh Shapiro

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT JOSH SHAPIRO

Josh Shapiro, PhD, serves as the Chief Strategy and Impact Officer at UC San Diego’s Division of Extended Studies, where he specializes in connecting the future of work and talent intelligence to innovative, accessible, and impactful learning experiences. A recognized expert in workforce and economic development, Dr. Shapiro bridges research, strategy, and community engagement to ensure that educational programs meet the evolving needs of industries, learners, and the regional economy.Over the course of his career, Dr. Shapiro has led transformative projects across sectors including healthcare, advanced manufacturing, STEM education, and philanthropy’s role in economic mobility. He was a core evaluator for the U.S. Department of Labor’s $500 million WIRED initiative, assessing innovation and workforce strategies in 15 regions nationwide. His work with the National Science Foundation explored how social and cultural dynamics shape regional economic development, while his community-based research projects have developed indicators and dashboards to measure collective impact and guide decision-making.An innovator in workforce financing, Dr. Shapiro designed and implemented the first Income Share Agreement between an Extension school and a Workforce Investment Board securing grants and philanthropic funding to expand opportunities for underrepresented and unemployed individuals. His leadership has earned local and national recognition, highlighting his ability to translate research into scalable, high-impact solutions.A committed educator, Dr. Shapiro has taught Research Methodology at UC San Diego and continues to mentor colleagues and community partners in data-informed decision-making. He holds a PhD and MA in Economic Sociology from the University of California, San Diego, and a BA in Social Thought and Analysis from Washington University in St. Louis.