Sonja Ardoin is a learner, educator, and facilitator. She serves as the Director of Student Leadership and Engagement at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and instructs a few courses at the university. Originally from "Cajun country," Sonja began her higher education career as a first generation college student at Louisiana State University where she earned a B.S. in Secondary Education. She moved on to Florida State University in 2005 to obtain her M.S. in Higher Education and Student Affairs and, after graduation, worked there full-time as an Assistant Director for Student Activities until 2008. Sonja's second role allowed her to serve as the Class Councils Advisor for Student Activities at Texas A&M University from 2008-2010. Sonja then moved "north" to Raleigh to pursue her Ph.D. in Educational Research and Policy Analysis, which she completed in May 2013 with a dissertation entitled: Learning a Different Language: Rural Students' Comprehension of College Knowledge and University Jargon. Sonja currently volunteers with national organizations such as LeaderShape, Zeta Tau Alpha, and Lambda Chi Alpha and is an active member of NASPA and ACPA. Personally, Sonja enjoys spending time with loved ones, traveling, reading, dancing, exercising, and laughing.