Sophea is a visionary higher education leader with over 20 years of distinguished experience in recruitment, enrollment management, and student affairs. Renowned for her innovative approach, she excels in crafting and implementing student-centric policies that provide equitable access to higher education, particularly for underrepresented students. Sophea’s strategic initiatives go beyond the initial stages of college planning, ensuring comprehensive support that drives student success and retention.As the current Director of Admissions at Guttman Community College, CUNY’s pioneering community college established in over four decades, Sophea leads with unparalleled expertise. She spearheads all recruitment and enrollment operations, managing a sophisticated multi-step admissions process that seamlessly facilitates students’ transition into college life. Her leadership is marked by an exceptional ability to recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing team committed to advancing the mission of community colleges.In her previous role as the inaugural Enrollment Specialist for the 1199SEIU Training and Upgrading Fund, Sophea was instrumental in supporting union members in Rochester, facilitating their educational advancement from basic adult education and GED programs to Bachelor’s degrees in nursing. Her innovative strategies and unwavering dedication significantly improved educational outcomes for union members.Sophea’s academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Public Administration from The College at Brockport, State University of New York. Her early career roles, including Undergraduate Admissions Advisor and Academic Coordinator for the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program. As an accomplished Academic Coordinator, she oversaw the First Year Structured Program, Supplemental Instructions, and Tutoring Program, significantly contributing to high retention and graduation rates. Her role involved designing and implementing comprehensive academic support strategies that ensured students received the guidance and resources needed for their academic success.Active with state and national professional organizations, Sophea contributes to the ongoing development of the college. Her commitment to excellence has earned her multiple accolades, including the TRiO Alumni Achiever Award, the Outstanding Service to Students award from The College at Brockport, and the Presidential Award for Leadership and more recently NISOD National Award for Excellence.