Nebraska Educational Planning for Systems-Involved Youth Conference

Dr. Joe DiCostanzo is a distinguished leader with extensive national and local experience in education, policy, and community engagement. Currently serving as the Vice President of Education at the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, Joe spearheads the "Together Better Initiative" and Full-Service Community Schools. His work, which emphasizes cradle-to-career strategies and economic mobility, is deeply rooted in his commitment to collaborating with partners to enhance educational outcomes through data-informed, values-driven approaches.
Previously, at the Harvard Education Redesign Lab, Joe contributed to collective impact efforts, integrating city, school, and non-profit services to create successful youth pipelines in communities. Joe was Associate Principal at Lincoln Public Schools, where he implemented data-driven systems to improve academic engagement and achievement. His efforts extended to overseeing the Community Learning Center and fostering strategic partnerships for student success. 
Joe's earlier roles included leadership positions at Omaha Public Schools, where he developed partnerships with industry leaders and designed support programs for at-risk students, resulting in a 100% graduation rate for participants. His comprehensive experience at the intersection of policy, practice, and research, combined with his exceptional leadership skills, make him a formidable advocate for educational and community development.

Joe focuses on education, career policy, and practice improvement strategies at Nebraska Children. He is the Foundation lead for Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) and Together, Better Initiative in partnership with the Nebraska Department of Education. Joe earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Education and his master’s from Harvard Graduate School of Education in Education, Policy, and Management. Prior to joining Nebraska Children, Joe worked for over a decade at Benson High School and also as Associate Principal at Lincoln Northeast High School.