Joe Sabado

Joe Sabado, MBA, is a strategic and purpose-driven IT executive in higher education, currently serving at UC Santa Barbara. With a passion for building human-centered systems, he focuses on integrating student success, technology, and AI to create environments that foster emotional well-being, personal growth, and community. As an aspiring EPIC (Empathetic, Purposeful, Inspirational, Compassionate) leader, Joe advocates for redefining student success beyond metrics—highlighting resilience, agency, and healing as core outcomes. He is also a thought leader in AI-human collaboration, using AI to support reflective thinking and amplify authentic voices. Through his writing and leadership, Joe shares candid insights on setbacks, mentorship, and the transformative power of storytelling in education.