Joseph N. Patten, Ph.D., is a professor of political science at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey. Since joining the Monmouth faculty in 2002, he has taught courses in American politics and public policy. He currently serves as the faculty advisor to Monmouth University's policy debate team and as the university liaison to the Washington Center Internship program. He received Monmouth's Distinguished Teaching Award in 2009. Prior to joining the faculty in 2002, he served as an associate professor of political science at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa from 1996-2002.

He received his doctorate in political science from West Virginia University in 1996. He is the co-author of the book entitled BAIT AND SWITCH: HOW STUDENT LOAN DEBT STIFLES SOCIAL MOBILITY (Springs Publishers, 2023). He also co-authored a number of articles and book chapters on the American Congress, super PACs and policy debate. He and his wife, Veena, live in Howell, New Jersey, with their two children, Nikhil and Jaya.