Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City announced the appointment of Michael Soto as its new vice president for Academic Affairs. The selection follows a comprehensive national search led by the firm Isaacson Miller and marks a significant step in the University’s commitment to academic innovation and its Jesuit mission.
Soto will officially assume his new role on July 1, following a selection process that included broad participation from University President Hubert Benitez, the Cabinet and the Board of Trustees.
In his new role Soto will provide executive oversight for all academic functions, including strategic planning, program development, and faculty affairs.
Benitez described the appointment as a “defining moment” for the institution.
“Dr. Soto’s appointment reflects our commitment to academic excellence, disciplined innovation, and measurable impact,” Benitez said. “As higher education evolves, we must be both strategic and forward-looking—strengthening program quality, expanding interdisciplinary collaboration, and ensuring that our academic enterprise remains competitive, relevant, and mission-driven.”
Soto joins Saint Peter’s with a distinguished background in higher education leadership and scholarship. Most recently, he served for four years as provost and senior vice president of Academic Affairs at Point Park University in Pittsburgh.
During his tenure at Point Park, Soto achieved notable milestones:
- Enrollment Growth: Led successful enrollment increases for two consecutive years.
- Retention Improvements: Boosted the university’s retention rate from 71% to 74%.
- New Initiatives: Oversaw the launch of the Center for Civic and Community Engagement and the Center for Professional Career Readiness.
Prior to his time in Pittsburgh, Soto spent 22 years at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, where he served as associate vice president for Academic Affairs and professor of English.
“I’m thrilled to join the Saint Peter’s University community, where centuries of Jesuit tradition come into contact with twenty-first-century teaching and learning,” Soto said. “My goal is simple: To provide every Saint Peter’s student with a truly world-class education.”
