Meet The New President
The President
Nelson Soto PhD.
President of Albizu University
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.
June 27, 2022
University community
Albizu University
NEW PRESIDENT OF ALBIZU UNIVERSITY
Dear members of Albizu University Community:
I am pleased to inform that after a rigorous selection process the Board of Trustees of our University has appointed Dr. Nelson Soto as President of our institution effective August 8, 2022.
Dr. Soto earned a Ph.D. in Policy Studies from Indiana University, and a Master of Education, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Cincinnati. He has been an associate professor and administrator at Union, Indiana University, Purdue, Missouri, and The University of Cincinnati. He served as Chancellor and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs at Union Institute & University in Cincinnati, a position he held from 2013 to the present. From 2010 to 2013 he served as Associate Vice Chancellor and Vice President of Curriculum and Instruction at Harrison College.
We give the warmest welcome to Dr. Nelson Soto as president of Albizu University. We trust that his presidency will mark a new era of progress and unity for all of us who are part of our beloved institution.
Sincerely,
Teresita M. Bolívar Ricardo J. del Río, PhD
Chair
Board of Trustees
Ricardo J. del Río, PhD
Chair
Presidential Search Committee
Vision, Mission and Values
Vision
To be an international leader in academic innovation, research, and community service, promoting diversity to generate a transformative social impact.
Mission
Albizu University educates professionals in behavioral sciences, speech pathology and other disciplines, committed to research, to improve quality of life, and to serve diverse communities.
Values
Albizu University promotes the following values:
- At Albizu, “love reaches beyond knowledge”
- Excellence in academic programs and services
- The integral and humanistic development of the student is essential at Albizu
- Respect for diversity
- Commitment to social responsibility
- Updating and integration of knowledge with technological advances
- Ethical behavior at all organizational levels
- Commitment to the development of our human resources
- Openness to academic community participation
- Operational transparency and administrative efficiency
Albizu University seeks to train professionals in a manner that enables them to:
- Integrate theory and practice in their chosen fields
- Be sensitive to the cultural realities of different ethnic groups
- Understand and put into practice ethical norms and professional standards
- View personal growth and development as a lifelong process
In fulfillment of its institutional goals, Albizu University follows a long tradition of academic excellence, innovative educational policies, and community commitment. In the words of our founder, Carlos Albizu-Miranda, “love reaches beyond knowledge.”
To contact the President reach out to:
Aileen N. Ortiz Negrón, MBA
Directora Ejecutiva
Oficina de Presidencia
Universidad Albizu
787-354-3887
[email protected]
