Sonja Ardoin

Sonja Ardoin, Ph.D. is an author, learner, educator, and facilitator. Proud of her rural hometown of Vidrine, Louisiana, her working-class, Cajun roots, and her first-generation college student to PhD journey, Sonja holds degrees from Louisiana State University, Florida State University, and North Carolina State University.

A self-described scholar-practitioner, Sonja served as an higher education administrator for 10 years before shifting to the faculty in 2015. Sonja studies social class identity in higher education; college access and success for rural and first-generation college students; student and women’s leadership; and professional preparation and career pathways in higher education and student affairs.

Sonja stays engaged in the higher education field through presenting, facilitating, and volunteering with national organizations such as ACPA, AFLV, ASHE, LeaderShape, NASPA, and SACSA. She is a contributor to the Center for First-generation Student Success and the AFLV Board of Directors. She also serves on the editorial boards for the Journal of College Student Development Research in Brief, the Journal of First-generation Student Success, and as a reviewer for the Review of Higher Education.

Sonja has published four books, one monograph, and numerous book chapters and journal articles, and enjoys reading the work of others. She credits her love of reading to her grandmother, who always brought her to the local library as a child and challenged her to read the maximum number of books each week.

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She enjoys traveling, music, sports, laughing, and spending time with her husband and pup.

You can read more about Sonja's educational and professional journey in her December 2016 or April 2018 The Chronicle of Higher Education Interviews or on her website at www.sonjaardoin.com.