Her Story
About Sonia
Sonia A. Rodriguez, Ph.D. is a full professor and educational leader specializing in educational leadership, school counseling, and equity-centered higher education practice. With a background that spans Pre-K–12 leadership and higher education, she has led statewide school counseling initiatives in California and now teaches graduate-level courses, chairs dissertations, and mentors emerging educational leaders. Her work integrates research, policy, and practice with a strong emphasis on culturally responsive and socially just education systems.
She is the founder of Baila Conmigo Leadership Solutions, LLC, a consulting and leadership development organization dedicated to advancing Latina leadership through mentorship, coaching, and identity-affirming frameworks. Her scholarly work, including the Baila Conmigo series, focuses on cultivating leadership pathways for Latina and Hispanic women in education while addressing systemic inequities in academic and organizational structures. She also serves in faculty governance roles and contributes to curriculum development and program evaluation at the university level.
Dr. Rodriguez’s professional mission is rooted in empowerment, cultural wealth, and transformational leadership. She is committed to creating educational systems where students thrive, educators feel valued, and leadership reflects the diversity of the communities it serves. Through her teaching, research, and consulting work, she continues to advance equity-driven leadership models that center voice, belonging, and opportunity for historically underrepresented groups.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sonia
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my commitment to empowering others and passing leadership forward. My definition of success is not based on titles or income, but on the impact I have in helping others grow into leadership roles. I find fulfillment in seeing educators and leaders I have mentored continue to advance and still seek my guidance. My drive comes from a lifelong vision rooted in empowering women, especially Latina women, and creating pathways for them to succeed in education and leadership.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The most important guidance I carry with me is the belief that leadership is about service and continuous growth. I have learned that we must always be both learners and mentors—recognizing that our role is not only to advance ourselves but to uplift others along the way. True leadership means using your experience to open doors for the next generation and ensuring others have the support and opportunity to succeed.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is to find your voice and use it confidently. It is essential to secure a seat at the table and actively participate in decision-making spaces while also building strong, authentic networks of support. Through my Baila Conmigo framework, I encourage women to believe in themselves, access their networks, embrace their cultural identity, listen to their intuition, and remain open to change as they grow in their leadership journey.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is navigating structural inequities in higher education, including limited representation of Latina women in leadership roles and the silencing of voices even when they are present at decision-making tables. Women in leadership often face barriers such as the glass ceiling and glass cliff, where they are placed in challenging roles without adequate support. At the same time, there is a significant opportunity to expand mentorship programs, strengthen equity-centered leadership development, and build new pathways for Latina scholars and educators to lead and thrive.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are empowerment, authenticity, cultural identity, and community. I believe in creating spaces where others can grow, be heard, and develop confidence in their leadership abilities. I also value passing knowledge forward and ensuring that the next generation has the tools, mentorship, and support they need to succeed. Above all, I am committed to fostering environments rooted in equity, belonging, and collective growth.
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