As Assistant Dean for Academic Planning, Sonya coordinates the graduate assistantship and short-term staffing programs. She also assists in data collection and analysis for the College. Prior to joining the staff of the College of Arts and Sciences, Sonya worked as an academic planner at the University of Wisconsin, directing the credit outreach program of the College of Letters and Science. Before embarking on a career in academic administration she worked for the French Government Tourist Office, C-SPAN, the Wisconsin Humanities Council, and at Taylor University as a visiting professor specializing in comparative politics and political theory. Sonya earned a BA in French and political science from Taylor University and an MA and a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Wisconsin. Her doctoral dissertation focused on the role of individuals and non-governmental organizations in international legal institutions, specifically regional human rights courts.

Personal interests include biking, gardening, reading, photography, and volleyball. She and her husband are devoted to their two cats, Princess Inky and Mr. Spike. Vacations are spent in a never ending search for the perfect combination of salt air, pine trees and mountains.