Rachel Joseph, MSW

Rachel Joseph, MSW, as the Program Specialist of Cornell ILR’s Criminal Justice and Employment Initiative (CJEI), uses her experience working in city government to focus on increasing employment opportunities for people with criminal records through legal education and training. She also provides assistance to employers on rethinking their approaches to evaluating and hiring candidates with criminal records.

Rachel has extensive experience implementing criminal justice initiatives, building strategic partnerships, and public speaking. Prior to working at Cornell, Rachel oversaw the reentry program at the New York County District Attorney’s Office (DANY), where her role was to reduce recidivism by coordinating and strengthening community supports in response to high-risk offenders transitioning from prison back to the community. She is passionate in providing opportunities and pathways to success for individuals affected by the criminal justice system.

Rachel was a 2013 recipient of the Mayor’s Graduate Scholarship Program and a 2014 Roothbert Fund Fellow. She earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from New York University Silver School of Social Work and a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Stockton University.