William Soto’s Journey From Student To Dean Of Students At Wolfson Campus
When William Soto was fifteen years old, he didn’t believe a college education was in his future.
But that changed the summer before his senior year, when he accepted an internship at Wolfson Campus’ admissions and registration department. The teenager was inspired by Margarita Aguiar, a pre-college advisor.
“She’s the one that believed in me,” Soto said. “[She] said, ‘I’m going to get you to Miami Dade [College] and I’m going to get you that summer internship. You’re going to see what it feels like to be on college ground.’ ”
Thirty years later, Soto’s life has come full circle. He is back at Wolfson Campus, this time as dean of students, an appointment he started last month.
He hopes to inspire others like Aguiar inspired him.
“That’s what gets me up every morning,” Soto said, “[helping] a student that might think they can’t earn a credential or that things are occurring in [their] life that they feel they’re not going to be able to pursue a degree.”
Soto’s academic journey started at Miami Senior High School in Little Havana. He graduated in 1991 and enrolled at Wolfson Campus where he earned his associate’s degree.
During his two years on campus, he worked in the admissions and registration office.
In 1993, Soto transferred to Nova Southeastern University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and teaching before starting in the Miami-Dade County Public Schools system.
Soto taught third grade at David Fairchild Elementary for seven years but during summer breaks, he returned to MDC as a part-time academic adviser. By 2002, he earned his master’s degree from NSU in teaching English as a second or foreign language.
The following year, he started a full-time job at Wolfson Campus as a pre-college advisor; two years later he was promoted to director of advisement and career services.
By 2010, Soto had become the director of admissions, registration and financial aid at West Campus. Three years later, Soto returned to Wolfson Campus as chairperson of the World Languages Department.
He left MDC in 2017 to serve as dean of students at Broward College, a role he fulfilled for two years. He returned to the College three years later to serve as dean of students at Medical Campus.
“I wanted someone that had that student [driven] heart and experience with community colleges in higher education,” said Bryan Stewart, President of Medical Campus. “[William] was the perfect candidate.”
At Medical, Soto helped jump-start the campus’ food pantry and a yearly event that showcases the simulation hospital for Rising Scholars and Presidential Scholars interested in nursing.
In his new role, he plans to continue collaborating with high schools to promote the academic programs available at MDC.
“William is one of those frank, charismatic, student-oriented, people-oriented individuals who is always willing to listen,” said Gloria De Los Reyes, the assistant dean of students at Wolfson Campus, who has known Soto for more than 30 years. “He’s always willing to go the extra mile to help a student or a staff member.”
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