2024 Power 100: Joseph Corazzini

A man with dark hair, a beard, and black glasses wears a grey striped suit with a blue dotted button down.

Photo I Courtesy of Clark University Joseph Corazzini

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By Emily Micucci

Joseph Corazzini Vice president of government and community affairs Company Clark University, in Worcester Employees 953 Residence Worcester College Worcester State University Read all the Power 100 profiles here
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Joseph Corazzini had big shoes to fill when he stepped into his role in November 2021, succeeding Jack Foley, who held the post for decades and has a campus roadway named after him. Corazzini serves as the primary liaison between Clark University and its surrounding community, and now the university’s long-held positive relationship with the low-income Main South neighborhood hangs in the balance.

Corazzini, who once worked in community organizing in the Main South neighborhood for United Way of Central Massachusetts, has faced the delicate task of maintaining community relations with Main South business owners and residents during the planning and construction of a mixed-use, 502-bed student housing block on Main Street, which includes the demolition of an entire building housing long-time Main South businesses. The project received an initial backlash from the Main South community, over concerns the new project would change the fabric of the neighborhood. Business owners will be given first rights to the new retail spaces but will be displaced during construction, which is slated for completion by August 2026. One of Corazzini’s big tasks has been to listen to stakeholders at public meetings and help negotiate compensation for impacted businesses.

As Clark is outgrowing its campus, new projects could create similar challenges for the university and Corazzini.

Beyond real estate projects, Corazzini has helped to expand the University Park Scholarship zone, offering free tuition to an additional 1,100 potential students living in the University Park neighborhood for at least five years.

Previously the assistant superintendent of equity, diversity, and community development for Framingham Public Schools, Corazzini is president of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce's Diverse Professionals Roundtable.

Read all the Power 100 profiles here.