Sofia B. Pertuz is a higher education and diversity professional with a wide breadth of experience in strategic planning, assessment and management in student affairs. Throughout her uniquely varied career, Sofia has intentionally formed bridges between student life and academic affairs to create exceptional student experiences. Currently, Sofia utilizes her holistic interdisciplinary expertise and strong collaboration skills in her role as assistant vice president and dean of students at Hofstra University. She served as adjunct faculty teaching Sociology courses on race and ethnic relations and has facilitated workshops on contemporary issues in assessment, leadership, and diversity topics at national conferences and various institutions. Sofia is a recipient of the NASPA Region II Scott Goodnight Award for Outstanding Performance as a Dean. Sofia earned a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communication from S.U.N.Y. New Paltz and holds a Master’s degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Seton Hall University, where she is currently completing a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership, Management and Policy. Sofia has been nationally recognized for her diversity and LGBTQ programs. She is the founder and moderator of a national online doctoral support network with over 2700 members. Philosophically, Sofia is committed to creating a socially just world, and dedicates time to mentoring, professional development and volunteer activities aiming to create inclusive and caring communities. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of ERASE Racism, a regional organization that leads public policy advocacy campaigns and related initiatives to promote racial equity in areas, such as housing, public school education, and community development.