Framingham Public Schools (FPS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Joshua Dodds, M.Ed. as the District’s new Director of Belonging and School Culture, effective December 1, 2025.

Mr. Dodds brings over 25 years of experience advancing equity-driven culture and inclusion initiatives across K–12 education, higher education, and corporate environments. He has most recently served as the Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Fitchburg State University, leading institutional DEIB strategy, policy development, and community engagement initiatives.

He holds a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from Northeastern University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, with additional certifications in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Cornell University and Employee Resource Group Leadership from VERBATE.

Mr. Dodds’ appointment follows a comprehensive, community-centered hiring process. FPS first gathered input from families, staff, and community members through a districtwide survey and an in-person focus group to better understand the priorities and qualities stakeholders valued in the next leader of Belonging and School Culture. The District then formed an Interview Committee comprising staff, family and community representatives who participated in an orientation and question-development session before conducting the first round of interviews.

Three finalists advanced to a public community forum, where they responded to questions from families, staff, and community members. Feedback from all stages of the process informed the final selection.

“I am thrilled to welcome Josh to the Framingham Public Schools family,” stated Dr. Robert A. Tremblay, Superintendent of Schools. “His collaborative approach and willingness to make intercommunity connections were clear from our first interaction. What impressed me most, however, was his true interest in serving Framingham students and families. He did his homework about the systems and structures that exist in our schools and broader community and framed goals that were built upon our core values. It is clear that he is ready to listen, learn, and work alongside our leaders, educators, students, and families as we continue to center ourselves on belonging in our schools.”

As Director of Belonging & School Culture, Mr. Dodds will lead districtwide efforts to strengthen inclusive practices, elevate student and family voice, and foster a welcoming, equitable learning environment across all FPS schools.

“Belonging is not just a slogan to me. It is the daily work of ensuring every student, staff member, and family feels seen, valued, and heard,” Dodds said. “This work only succeeds when everyone has a seat at the table, and I am committed to creating spaces where every voice is honored and every experience is validated. At its core, this isn’t about acronyms or politics. It’s about people. I’m in the people business, and my business is helping people. I look forward to walking alongside the Framingham community as we continue to build on a culture where everyone knows they matter.”