Meet Joseph Greenwell, New AVP for Student Life

Content warning: This article contains brief mention of suicide.

Joseph Defraine Greenwell, our new Associate Vice President for Student Life and Chief Student Affairs Officer. (Photo: LinkedIn)

A small layout hiccup in our last issue left Joseph Greenwell captioned incorrectly, featuring Betsy Mitchell’s instead of his own. (Greenwell/Mitchell’s inscribed purpose: “D3 athletics at a D1 price.”) This coupled with Greenwell’s iconically bowtied image made for a curious moment that, in its way, captured something of the Caltech spirit. Now, with a proper introduction, meet the Institute’s new Associate Vice President for Student Life and Chief Student Affairs Officer: May you find him as engaging a subject in print as I did over coffee.

Thank you for your time! Could you introduce yourself?

My name’s Joseph Greenwell, and my pronouns are he/him/his. I’m the inaugural Associate Vice President for Student Life and Chief Student Affairs Officer, which means I have the opportunity to work within a newly established team. The people and departments were always there, but a new reorganization of a team that’s focused on the student experience in a variety of ways, and how we can continually look at our work, collaborate across the Institute, and continually enhance the student experience—not just outside the classroom, since everything we do outside the classroom is supportive of inside the classroom.

Could you speak to the inauguration of that position?

I wasn’t here when that was done, but the role emerged as part of a broader reorganization within Student Affairs. Ten departments now make up the new Student Life division created through that process.

Could you tell us a bit about your background?

I’ll go a little further back—how I even found my way into higher education. I could talk about my career path, but when people ask why I’m passionate about this work, it’s centered on a few aspects—or moments—of my life.

The first is that I was raised on a farm. I only share that because farm work is all about collaboration and mutual support—making sure everyone stays safe while working with heavy machinery and long hours. That ties into my leadership today: bringing people together toward a shared goal and supporting one another along the way.

Fast-forward: I’m a survivor of a suicide attempt in high school, back in 1986. I share that because mental health challenges touch almost everyone at some point—whether through grief, loneliness, or difficulty finding a sense of belonging. At that time in my life, I felt isolated and unable to talk to anyone. Sharing that publicly feels vulnerable, but I think it’s important. We all go through times in our life when we need help, and it’s vital to know to reach out to others for that help. The vast majority of my life I would never have experienced otherwise, and it’s been beautiful. I’ve had a wonderful life, as the movie says, and I’m deeply grateful for that.

Well-being has been central to everything I’ve done since. It’s the lens through which I view my work: How we can create environments that foster wellness and belonging for everyone.

When I started college, that commitment deepened. My first year at Vanderbilt was hard—I struggled for the first time with academic rigor, and I felt I was the only one struggling. I didn’t seek help right away, partly from shame and imposter syndrome, but eventually I found tutoring and realized support was available. I also had a hard time making friends at first; I had to really go out of my comfort zone to do that, but by my second semester, I’d built a strong network.

Then, at the end of my first year, my piano instructor—who, for a music major, is like a PI here—told me not to return, that I didn’t have what it takes to be a Vanderbilt student. That crushed me. It was already a hard year!

I left not knowing if I could come back to Vanderbilt. But I could, and I did. I’m happy to say that, with support, I not only returned but thrived. I excelled, was on the Dean’s List, and earned all three of my degrees from Vanderbilt! (I joke that I overcompensated.)

That experience is what led me to Student Affairs. My first real involvement was through orientation. I didn’t want any other first-year student to feel as lost or unsupported as I had, so I became an orientation leader. Someone eventually asked if I’d ever considered Student Affairs as a profession—I hadn’t—but that’s how I got into it.

At one point I thought about pursuing music therapy, connecting it with my music degree, but I ultimately used my psychology background to focus on education instead.

How does Caltech compare to other institutions you’ve worked with?

Something unique about Caltech is its size. Being a smaller institution means people have the chance to know each other in a much more personal way than at most universities. My hope is that students here feel they truly have access—to faculty, to staff, and to each other. At larger schools, that kind of close connection can be harder to come by.

And the students here are incredible. What they bring to Caltech—their expertise, curiosity, and passion—really shapes the campus. I’ve been especially impressed by student governance so far. I’ve met with leaders from the undergraduate and graduate communities, through ASCIT, GSC, and the IHC, and I’ve been struck by their thoughtfulness and commitment.

Caltech has a very distinctive vibe. Every institution has its own culture, but Caltech’s blend of brilliance, history, and intimacy gives it a special character.

What do your responsibilities entail?

I support ten wonderful colleagues who create the student experience, each representing different aspects of the work. Three areas fall under Student Wellness Services—medical, counseling, and operations. Then there’s Athletics, Recreation, and Physical education; Performing and Visual Arts; the Center for Student Success, which includes disability services and the CARE team; Fellowships and Study Abroad; Student and Family Engagement; the Registrar, and everything Tom Mannion does around student events.

Together, we’re looking for ways to collaborate across these areas, share goals, and strengthen how we support students. My role also involves partnering beyond Student Affairs—with faculty, alumni, and families—to make sure our efforts are coordinated and effective. I’ve only been here two months, so I’m still learning, but I’m excited about how interconnected this work can be.

What has been most revealing in your first two months?

I’ve realized how much opportunity there is to bridge and connect across Caltech. Even with its small size, silos can form simply because everyone is so busy doing important work. Finding ways to build more collaboration toward shared goals feels key.

Another pleasant surprise has been the enthusiasm for this new position—not just for me personally, but for what it represents: a dedicated focus on student life at Caltech. My own background is entirely in Student Affairs. I earned my undergraduate degrees in music and psychology, my master’s in higher education administration, and my doctorate in education. I’ve been in the field for 28 years, and I’ve felt so supported here as I learn about the Institute and how best to serve the community.

Have there been any memorable experiences with students so far?

It’s only been a few weeks into the term, but I’ve really enjoyed connecting with students and hearing their stories. I love learning together—sharing who we are and what drives us. Orientation was a highlight; I met many new students here and there during rotation events. I’ve also attended athletic events and other student gatherings. Each encounter helps me understand what excites students about Caltech and where they see opportunities for growth and support.

I’ve been collaborating with student leaders, too—for instance, with SLEC. A joint letter went out recently from me, Elisa the IHC Chair and SLEC Chair, and Ashlyn the ASCIT President, encouraging students to get involved. [This letter was also published by the Tech as part of this issue.]

That partnership model is something I hope to keep building on.

What kinds of connections do you hope to strengthen?

I’m interested in how aware students are of the resources that exist—and how we can make that information easier to find. Caltech has a remarkable network of support, but part of my work is to make sure it’s visible and accessible.

I’m also thinking deeply about well-being—how every area, not just Student Wellness Services, contributes to it. For example, what does well-being look like in study abroad, or in performing arts, or athletics? How do we embed that perspective throughout everything we do? That’s a big priority for me.

At present, I’ve been here for two months and fifteen days. I’m still very much in a learning phase, but also in a listening and connecting phase. I want to engage with students in both formal and informal ways. If anyone sees me around campus, please say come up and say hi! I wear a bowtie every day—not just as a fashion choice, but so people can recognize me easily.

Improvements at Caltech?

I’d say that’s a conversation for the months ahead. Every institution has areas where it can grow. Right now, I’m still within my first ninety days—still listening, learning, and getting the lay of the land. I think of this first quarter as the “30–60–90” phase of onboarding.

It really takes a full year to experience the rhythm of a place—its traditions, its milestones, its flow. I’m not waiting a year to act, but I know understanding that rhythm takes time. It’s all part of the learning process.

It’s funny—it feels like I’ve only been here a week, but it’s already Homecoming. (Which is this weekend, if you didn’t know!)

Closing comments?

I’m super excited to be here—to partner with students, staff, faculty, alumni, and families to highlight what’s already great about Caltech and keep building on it. I want to make sure students feel connected to the many wonderful resources that exist, and to explore how we can enhance that experience together.

I think I speak for many of us when I say we’re already grateful for the ways Joseph has helped bring the student community together. Thank you again for your time, Joseph.