Sofia B. Pertuz

Throughout her higher education career Sofia served in senior administrative and faculty roles, forming bridges between student life and academic affairs to create holistic campus experiences. Dr. Pertuz served as adjunct faculty in the Higher Education Leadership & Policy program at Hofstra University and taught Sociology at Wagner College and first-year seminars at Fordham University. At Fordham Sofia launched a campus-wide award-winning LGBTQ ally training program. At Hofstra, as Associate Vice President and Dean of Students, Dr. Pertuz led the assessment efforts for the Division of Student Affairs and served as the co-chair of a campus wide climate survey and diversity and inclusion task force. At Fordham University, Dr. Pertuz launched the first award winning safe zone program, the LGBT and Ally Network of Support. The program consistently received high internal ratings and was awarded the Ignatian Medal for Social Justice from the Jesuit Association for Student Personnel Administrators.

 Sofia is committed to creating a socially just world, and dedicates volunteer time to mentoring, professional development, and activities aiming to create inclusive and caring communities. Sofia is the founder and moderator of Latinas Completing Doctoral Degrees, a Facebook community and doctoral support network with over 9000 actively engaged members. She also serves as a board member for 100 Hispanic Women, Long Island Program, a nonprofit whose mission is to inspire Latinas to maximize their strengths and potential in order to become equal partners in an empowered world of equal opportunity with justice, recognition, respect, and dignity. Additionally, she proudly serves as a board member for Cohort Sistas, a nonprofit network that supports Black women pursuing doctorates providing resources, mentorship, and community. Sofia was recently honored for her volunteer efforts with a New York State Assembly Citation from Assemblywoman Judy Griffin as a 2022 Hispanic Heritage Honoree.

Dr. Pertuz has been an invited speaker for international audiences on topics in leadership, change management, social justice, mental health, and LGBTQ+ advocacy, including delivering keynotes in both English and Spanish. Dr. Pertuz received her bachelor’s degree in organizational communication from SUNY New Paltz and her master’s degree and PhD in Higher Education Leadership, Management, and Policy from Seton Hall University. Sofia holds a Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion for HR from Cornell University and Certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace from University of South Florida. Sofia is a Senior Certified Professional by the Society of Human Resources Management.