Dr. Mónica Lee Miranda

Dr. (Dra.) Mónica Lee Miranda (she/her/ella)

Born and raised in NYC, Dr. Mónica Lee Miranda identifies as a proud Latina and Puerto Rican. As the Director of the Center for Student Involvement at the University of South Florida, she leads a team creating experiences for students to find their sense of belonging, advancing student engagement and success. She is also an adjunct instructor for the Higher Education Administration Graduate Program at New England College in New Hampshire and an independent educational consultant and speaker.

Dr. Miranda received her bachelor and masters degrees at the University at Albany, State University of New York and her Ph.D. from the University of Rochester. Her dissertation research explored the experiences, and amplified the voices of, Latinas in Latina sororities. Dr. Miranda also served as a co-editor for two books on fraternity and sorority life published in January of 2020, Supporting Fraternities and Sororities in the Contemporary Era: Advancements in Practice and Foundations, Research, and Assessment of Fraternities and Sororities: Retrospective and Future Considerations, co-authoring a chapter in each. A third book focused on student identity and learning in sororities and fraternities is currently in progress centered around amplifying voice, affirming identity, and advancing belonging. Dr. Miranda has also served on the inaugural editorial board for Oracle: The Research Journal of the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors and co-authored publications on design thinking as well as hazing and other high-risk behaviors.

Dr. Miranda has dedicated much of her volunteering to creating and strengthening organizations for marginalized communities, with a distinct focus on Latinx/a/o communities. She helped create the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO), receiving its Inaugural NALFO Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020, and served as the inaugural Chair of the Board of Trustees for her sorority, Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.. In 2014, her sorority recognized her with the renaming of an award the Mónica Lee Miranda Image Award. She was the 34th President for the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA), creating history as the first person of color to assume that role, and has been recognized with multiple awards from AFA, including the high distinction of the Dr. Robert H. Shaffer Award in 2019. At USF she co-founded Alianza Latina Faculty and Staff Association, currently serving as its Inaugural President, is a member of the Status of Latinos Presidential Advisory Committee, as well as the Advancing Latino Access and Success (ALAS) Presidential Task Force. Dr. Miranda has also been recognized for her work at USF with the 2021 USF Outstanding Staff Award (Team), the 2021-2022 Student Success Champion Award and the 2022 Inclusive Excellence Award.

Within her local community, Dr. Miranda is a member of the Miss Tampa Board of Directors, combining her passion for empowering women with the educational support of the Miss America Scholarship program.