Dr. Joy L. Armstrong is the Director of the Galleries of Contemporary Art (GOCA) at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS). She earned a B.A. in Media Communications and Studio Art from the University of Denver and an M.A. in Contemporary Art History and Criticism from Kent State University. In 2021, she completed a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Research, and Policy at UCCS, with a dissertation titled "History and Belonging: A Phenomenological Study of Participatory Public Art Murals in Colorado," exploring how public art fosters community and addresses social inequities.

Dr. Armstrong's career includes nearly two decades in museum, gallery, and public art sectors. She served as Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College, where she was recognized for creating immersive and interactive exhibitions. Additionally, she was Program Director at Inside Out Youth Services, a nonprofit supporting LGBTQIA+ youth in Colorado Springs.

At GOCA, Dr. Armstrong is dedicated to enhancing community engagement through the arts, aiming to make art accessible and welcoming to all. She emphasizes the importance of collaborative creative processes in building inclusive communities.