Mateo Cruz

Dr. Mateo Cruz is a social-organizational psychologist and Assistant Professor of Management at Bentley University. His primary research focuses on diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice (DEIJ), and change in groups & organizations. His most recent work examines the different ways women/LGBTQ+ people/BIPOC experience and contend with systemic stereotype threat in occupations where they face chronic exclusion.

As a scholar-practitioner Mateo’s work is guided by one central goal – to research, design, and deliver evidence-based interventions that advance change leaders at the intersection of identities. He holds 20+ years of experience as an organization development and change (ODC) consultant & trainer specializing in inclusive leadership, group & team dynamics, and organization change. He serves as a faculty advisor to The Gloria Cordes Larson Center for Women and Business and as the inaugural Social Justice Faculty Fellow for the Bentley Service Learning and Civic Engagement Center (BSLCE).

Education

• Ph.D. Columbia University
• M.Phil. Columbia University
• M.A. Columbia University
• B.A. University of Portland

Teaching Interests

Organizational Behavior; Group & Team Dynamics; Managing Workplace Diversity; Inclusive Leadership; Applied Research Methods; Organization Consultation & Change

Research Interests

I study unconscious, invisible, and/or covert dynamics that occur in workplace contexts specific to diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and change. My goal is to advance scientific understanding about ways hidden dynamics between individuals and their organizations interact to influence career-related outcomes specifically for members of historically excluded groups. The purpose of my research is to inform evidence-based interventions in business and science careers.

Consulting/Practice Interests

Workplace diversity & inclusion; team dynamics; organizational culture & change

Awards and Honors

• 2022, Best Paper Award Nomination, The 15th Annual Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Conference
• 2022, Nominee, Joseph M. Cronin Award for Excellence in Academic Advising and Mentoring, Bentley University
• 2022, Early Educator Institute (EEI) Scholarship, Management & Organizational Behavior Teaching Society (MOBTS)
• 2022, Nominee, Dr. Earl L. Avery Leadership Award, The Office of Diversity and Inclusion
• 2021, Innovation in Teaching Award, Teaching and Scholarly Affairs Committee (TSAC), Bentley University
• 2021, Best Scholarly Capstone, Mengyao Lu (Faculty Advisor: Mateo Cruz, PhD), Bentley University
• 2021, Nominee, Joseph M. Cronin Award for Excellence in Academic Advising and Mentoring, Bentley University
• 2021, Nominee, Dr. Earl L. Avery Leadership Award, The Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Bentley University
• 2020, Joseph M. Cronin Award for Excellence in Academic Advising and Mentoring, Bentley University
• 2020, The Provost’s Doctoral Dissertation Grant, Columbia University
• 2018, Nominee, The K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Award, Association of American Colleges & Universities (AAC&U)
• 2018, Valente Seminar Series on Intersectionality Fellowship, The Jeanne & Dan Valente Center for Arts & Sciences at Bentley University
• 2018, Nominee, Joseph M. Cronin Award for Excellence in Academic Advising and Mentoring, Bentley University
• 2017, Nominee, The Gregory H. Adamian Award for Excellence in Teaching, Bentley University
• 2015, Doctoral Institute Scholarship, Organizational Behavior Teaching Society (OBTS)
• 2011, Fellowship for Teaching & Diversity, Columbia University

Publications

Journal Articles

• Cruz, M., Nagy, N. (2022). Profiles in persistence: A latent profile analysis of multilevel coping strategies enacted among women in the sciences. Journal of Organizational Behavior.
• Cruz, M., Golom, F. D. (2021). An open-systems approach to course redesign: Moving beyond the pulpit. Industrial and Organizational Psychology: Perspectives on Science and Practice, (13) 4 519-523.
• Block, C. J., Cruz, M., Bairley, M. M., Harel-Marian, T., Roberson, L. (2019). Inside the prism of an invisible threat: Shining a light on the hidden work of contending with systemic stereotype threat in STEM fields. Journal of Vocational Behavior. 113 33-50.
• Perry, E. L., Kulik, C. T., Golom, F. D., Cruz, M. (2019). Sexual harassment training: Often necessary but rarely sufficient. Industrial and Organizational Psychology: Perspectives on Science and Practice, (12) 1 89-92.

Book Chapters

• Cruz, M., Fong-Olivares, Y., Davi, W., Taveras Soriano, M. J. (2023). Adding the “J” for justice: Why and how Executive Education can center Social Justice in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) training for corporate leaders In , (Eds.) The Palgrave Handbook of Fulfillment, Wellness, and Personal Growth at Work.. Springer International Forthcoming.
• Cruz, M. (2023). Stereotype Threat In B. A. Ritter, (Eds.) SAGE Business Core: Organizational Behavior. SAGE Publications, Inc.
• Cruz, M., Fong-Olivares, Y., Davi, W. (2022). Brave dialogues: An essential leadership practice to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in organizations In J. Marques and D. Satinder, (Eds.) Leading with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Approaches, Practices and Cases for Integral Leadership Strategy. Future of Business and Finance (FBF) Book Series. 123-135. Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022
• Golom, F. D., Cruz, M. (2021). Context-Levels-Culture (CLC): A diagnostic framework for consulting to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) change in organizations In Debra A. Noumair and Abraham B. Rami Shani, (Eds.) Research in Organizational Change and Development. 201-234. Emerald Publishing Limited