Desdemona Cardoza – Higher Ed Equity Strategist
Dr. Desdemona Cardoza is a retired Professor of Psychology from California State University, Los Angeles. She previously served for over a decade as a Special Consultant to the California State University Office of the Chancellor. During her distinguished career at Cal State LA, she held several senior leadership positions, including Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean of Natural and Social Sciences, Vice President for Information Technology, and Director of Institutional Research. Dr. Cardoza earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of California, Riverside, and her B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley.
Desdemona Cardoza – Educational Psychologist and Higher Education Equity AdvocateDesdemona Cardoza, Ph.D., brings decades of leadership in higher education with a deep focus on equity, student success, and institutional transformation. As a senior consultant at Insights2Action, she draws on her background in educational psychology and her experience as a former university administrator to help campuses develop actionable strategies that foster inclusive, student-centered outcomes. Dr. Cardoza is recognized for her ability to blend research-based practices with data-informed planning to close opportunity gaps in education and drive systemic change.Driving Institutional Effectiveness Through Data, Psychology, and LeadershipWith a foundation in educational psychology and years of executive-level experience in the California State University (CSU) system, Dr. Desdemona Cardoza supports institutions in leveraging student success data, building equity-focused practices, and sustaining collaborative change. Her work at Insights2Action focuses on improving data literacy, fostering cross-campus dialogue, and aligning analytics with strategic planning. She is particularly passionate about supporting underrepresented students and ensuring that equity is at the heart of every initiative. Dr. Cardoza’s approach empowers colleges and universities to use data-informed insights to improve student outcomes at scale.Whether facilitating leadership retreats, conducting equity audits, or advising on institutional planning, Desdemona Cardoza is a trusted partner to educators seeking long-term impact. Her dedication to student achievement, inclusive excellence, and higher education reform continues to shape more effective and responsive academic environments across the country."Insights2Action | Student success analytics | Student success dashboard | Higher education analytics | Data-informed insights | Educational data solutions | Data collaboration in education"