Dr. Cruz is a higher education leader with three decades of experience advancing student access, success, retention, and equity. As Senior Director of Student Access and Success at Florida International University (FIU), she leads a comprehensive portfolio of pre-collegiate and undergraduate access and success programs designed to expand educational opportunity and improve outcomes for first- generation students.
As Principal Investigator for FIU’s TRIO grant-funded programs—including Upward Bound, Talent Search, Student Support Services, and the McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Programs—Dr. Cruz provides strategic and fiscal leadership for programs supported by federal, state, institutional, foundation, and auxiliary resources. Her portfolio encompasses 10 access programs and pathways, including the Golden Scholars Bridge Program and Foster Panther Pride, with annual operating budgets exceeding $3 million.
Dr. Cruz brings a personal understanding of the transformative power of education and a deep commitment to creating pathways for students and families who may not traditionally have access to higher education. She earned a B.S. in Psychology from Inter American University of Puerto Rico, a master’s degree in Counseling from Iowa State University, and a doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Florida International University. Her professional journey also includes leadership and student-services experience at Iowa State University and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Throughout her career, Dr. Cruz has focused on translating research, best practices, and innovation into programs that help students navigate the educational pipeline—from pre-college preparation through college completion and beyond. Her work reflects a fundamental belief that access must be paired with intentional support, a sense of belonging, and opportunity.
A passionate advocate for first-generation college students and historically underserved populations, Dr. Cruz is committed to building institutional cultures where students can not only enter higher education, but thrive, persist, graduate, and achieve their full potential.