Joseph Bagnoli, Jr.

Hometown: Zanesville, Ohio

Degrees: B.S. (Berea College); M.A. (Eastern Kentucky University); Ph.D. (University of Kentucky)

Undergraduate major: Business administration

What I love about my job: I love it when students and families learn about Grinnell for the first time and realize this place was made for them!

What I love about Grinnell: I think Grinnell offers the best education money can’t buy because we’re need-blind in admission and offer a robust merit aid program that affects more than just a handful of students. On top of that, we’re routinely ranked in the top ten for “best undergraduate teaching” in the United States.

Hobbies/activities: I love music and have sung with the Penny Loafers Quartet, the Florida Philharmonic, and regularly in the shower. I also like to hike, bike, and kayak. My favorite spots in Iowa are Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve in Grinnell, the High Trestle Trail in Woodward (biking the bridge at night is so cool), and Lake Red Rock in Pella.

Advice about searching for schools: There is more than one place where you can be happy and create a great life for yourself. Don’t buy into the myth that you’ll be a failure if you aren’t admitted to an Ivy League school. Widen your scope and include interesting colleges that you would rank in your top 10 — even if U.S. News & World Report doesn’t!

Advice about applying to schools: Only apply for Early Decision admission if you are certain you want to spend four years at a particular college. Sure, you have a higher probability of being admitted to places like Grinnell if you apply through Early Decision, but it’s a binding application. Choosing to apply Early Decision before you’re sure you want to enroll at a college would be like setting a wedding date before you find a partner.