Sonia Cardenas

Sonia Cardenas was named Acting Dean of the Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs from April 4, 2020, through June 30, 2022. She had been serving as Interim Dean of the Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs since June 1, 2019. She is a Professor of Political Science and joined the Trinity College faculty in 2001. In her current role, Cardenas continues her responsibilities as Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation. This involves chairing the President’s Coordinating Group for Implementation of the Strategic Plan and leading key strategic initiatives at the college, including the partnership with Infosys and the development of Trinity’s innovation space at One Constitution Plaza. Most recently, as Dean of Academic Affairs, Cardenas has also been responsible for Graduate Studies, intersession programs, and lifelong learning.

Cardenas began her work as an academic dean in 2013 and was appointed to President Berger-Sweeney’s cabinet in 2014. As Associate Academic Dean for curricular matters, Cardenas led the restructuring of the first-year seminars program, the launch of the new January Term, and a year-long analysis of retention. She also played a key role in creating the Bantam Network, a first-year student-designed program, and convened a working group on faculty diversity. In fall 2015, Cardenas began serving as Dean of Academic Affairs, responsible for supporting half of all academic departments and programs.

Cardenas earned a B.A. in international relations and French from Tulane University, an M.A. and Ph.D. in political science from the University of Virginia, and a certificate in international human rights law from Oxford University.