Dr. Maritsa Barros is a proud African (Cape Verdean) American woman who believes in equity & justice. She started off her career in college student admissions in 2006. Her inspiration for entering the field was sparked by her activism at a PWI as a student of color. With fourteen years in the field, she is a scholar-practitioner, a dynamic speaker, program developer, leader in diversity, a restorative justice practitioner, and a coach to many who lives to educate and empower the next generation of leaders and change agents in the world.

Dr. Barros has consistently contributed to improving the racial climate on several different college/university campuses. After leaving higher education, she moved into municipal governance.

Maritsa obtained her Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership from Northeastern University. Her research was focused on examining the lived experiences of Chief Diversity Officers at predominately white institutions (PWIs) in the Northeast region of the United States of America.

Dr. Barros currently serves as a Lecturer for the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Leadership Program at Tufts University.