Joseph McCarthy, Ph.D, is an independent consultant providing services to institutions and individuals on education both domestically and internationally. He held several positions in his 26-year career at Harvard University, including assistant dean for academic planning and executive assistant to the dean (chief of staff). He recently retired as the senior associate dean and director of degree programs at the Kennedy School. He holds his Ed.D. in administration, planning and social policy; C.A.S. in administration, planning and social policy both from Harvard University and an M.A. and a B.A. in English Language and Literature from Boston College.