Presidency
Dr. Nelson Edward Soto
Message to the Albizu Community
Dear Albizu community: It is my pleasure and honor to join you as President of such an outstanding and prestigious institution. I am thrilled to take on this new professional challenge and collaborate with our Board of Trustees, our campus leaders, and our staff to better serve our students and communities in Florida and Puerto Rico. As I embark on this mission, I count on your support to achieve our institutional goals and drive Albizu University towards a bright and prosperous future. We live in dynamic times, but I am confident that as we get to know each other, we will find creative ways to address the challenges and meet our shared objectives. As a Puerto Rican and proud Latino, I am happy to join an institution with deep Hispanic roots and strong organizational values that reflect the vision of our founder Carlos Albizu Miranda. I plan to be deeply involved in Florida and Puerto Rican communities, ensuring Albizu’s hard-earned reputation is amplified and we serve as a good citizens of these wonderful locations. I am eager to meet all of you in the upcoming weeks and discuss our priorities. In the meantime, I invite you to connect with me on Twitter @PresidentAlbizuUNIV. I look forward to forging our new beginnings together and count on your input as I lay out my vision and work plan for our university. Thank you for inviting me to partner with you on this new journey!
Biography
Albizu University Board of Trustees announced the appointment of Dr. Nelson Edward Soto as the university’s sixth president. Dr. Soto succeeds Dr. José Pons, who retired after serving Albizu as president since 2017.
Dr. Soto is a visionary leader, with a focus on enabling and encouraging change. He is deeply committed to ensuring that all individuals, no matter their background or circumstances, have access to higher education and the opportunity to improve their own lives and those of their families. As a strategic leader, the central underpinning of his values and professional experiences is promoting justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education.
Dr. Soto came to Albizu University from Union Institute & University in Cincinnati, Ohio. He served as the executive vice president for academic affairs and provost. Also, has served as faculty at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis in the School of Education; Indiana University, College of Arts and Sciences; the University of Missouri-Columbia, College of Education; and the University of Cincinnati, University College; and has received multiple grants for his research.
Currently, Dr. Soto serves on the New Leadership Academy Advisory Board and is a member of the Higher Learning Commission, Institutional Action Committee (IAC). In addition, he has served on the Hoxworth Blood Center Community Advisory Board, Harvard Business Publishing Advisory Board, Cengage Private Sector Advisory Board, Pearson Service-Learning Board, and was chair of the Harrison College Military Advisory Board. Dr. Nelson E. Soto is a Board Member Emeritus and founding board member of Maryssa's Mission Foundation (MMF).
Dr. Soto is married to Dr. Ana Baratta; they have two children, Daniel, age 12, and Nicole, age 10.
Accredited programs,
highly qualified professors.
