José Luis Alvarado, Ph.D., is dean of the Graduate School of Education at Fordham University. Dean Alvarado earned a Ph.D. in education, with a specialization in special education, from the University of Virginia; an M.A. in special education from San Diego State University; and a B.A. in psychology from San Diego State University. He also earned teaching credentials in elementary bilingual education and in special education. Additionally, he earned his preliminary administrative services credential from San Diego State University. Prior to his work in higher education, he served as a mental health counselor, case manager, and behavioral crisis counselor at the Imperial County Behavioral Health Department; a special education teacher serving students with emotional and behavioral disorders for a public school district, and a program and behavioral specialist for a regional special education agency ensuring compliance with state and federal laws. As a scholar he has published in areas including education and multiculturalism, holistic learning approaches, approaches to students who have emotional and behavioral disorders, the preparation of special education teachers, and developing collaborative educator pathway programs in partnership with local community colleges.