Professor Nilda Soto Ruiz has dedicated her professional career to providing quality educational programs in both public and private educational settings. She has more than 30 years experience as a teacher and high ranking administrator in the New York City Public School System. Dr. Soto Ruiz’s accomplishments have distinguished her as a leading practitioner and advocate in the field of education. Her research interests include the teaching of English Language Learners and students with special needs.  

Dr. Soto Ruiz, who was born in New York City and is of Puerto Rican ancestry, is a product of the New York City Public Schools.  She earned a baccalaureate degree from the City College of New York. She received her Masters and Doctoral degrees from New York University.

Dr. Soto Ruiz has served students in New York City at all grade levels. She has also assumed administrative positions at the district level in the Bronx and at the Central level. Among the numerous positions she has held are: Director of Bilingual Education, Chief Executive for Instruction and Superintendent for the Office of Monitoring and School Improvement.

Dr. Soto Ruiz has shared her expertise by educating future teachers and administrators at Hunter College, the College of New Rochelle and New York University. She was appointed by Governor Pataki to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees of the City University of New York and served as a member for a ten year period. She was Chair of the Board’s Committee on Academic Policy, Program and Research and Vice Chair of the Committee on Fiscal Affairs.  She also worked on public school and university collaborative programs during her tenure as trustee.  

In 2002 Dr. Soto Ruiz joined the faculty of Touro College as program chair for the programs in school administration and restructured the program which prepares administrators for public and private school systems. During the academic year of 2009-2010 Dr. Soto Ruiz assumed additional duties as acting chair of Bilingual/TESOL programs. Dr. Soto Ruiz retains a strong commitment to sharing her expertise to prepare students of diverse backgrounds to excel academically. She is currently Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Chair of the School Leadership Program at the Touro College Graduate School of Education.