Dr. Cristo Leon is an internationally respected executive leader, interdisciplinary scholar, and transformational strategist who has dedicated over 25 years to reimagining the intersection of higher education, research, and innovation. Driven by a powerful ethos of collaboration and equity, he has made a lasting impact across continents and industries—advancing institutional excellence, broadening representation and fostering systemic change in academia, technology, and nonprofit sectors. Currently serving as Director of Research at the Jordan Hu College of Science and Liberal Arts at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Dr. Leon exemplifies a leadership style that is both visionary and hands-on, characterized by deep integrity, cross-sector influence, and a relentless commitment to inclusive advancement.
Born in Mexico and later rooted in the U.S., Dr. Leon’s path has been shaped by a transnational perspective, blending cultural fluency with strategic innovation. His academic foundation in Organizational Leadership and International Management, paired with an M.B.A. in E-Commerce and multiple executive diplomas, prepared him to navigate and lead within complex ecosystems. Whether managing multimillion-dollar research portfolios or mentoring executives across Latin America, his work reflects an ability to align mission with measurable outcomes.
Dr. Leon’s career has been distinguished by his strategic leadership at NJIT, where he has overseen the submission of more than 1,800 proposals and secured over $111 million in research funding. These efforts played a pivotal role in elevating NJIT to R1 status by the Carnegie Classification—designating it as a university with “very high research activity.” He has built expansive networks of over 65 subcontracting organizations and 50 new grant sponsors, strengthening NJIT’s institutional research infrastructure while ensuring its projects serve broader educational and societal goals.
His expertise spans the development of data-sharing frameworks, compliance systems, and innovation pipelines that support emerging technologies, STEM education, and social sciences. Notably, Dr. Leon led the data management and strategic compliance efforts for NSF-supported initiatives and programs, advancing access for Hispanic and Latinx students in STEM. As a founding member of NJIT’s Hispanic and Latinx Employee Resource Group, he helped shape initiatives that support culturally responsive environments and amplify perspectives in research and administration.
Dr. Leon’s influence extends beyond institutional walls. As a Global Facilitator, Coach, and Trainer with Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, he has designed and delivered leadership and innovation programs for over a decade across Latin America. From mentoring KPMG executives in disruptive innovation to building strategic competencies for corporate directors, he has trained more than 150 senior leaders in countries including Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, and Spain. His programs emphasize sustainability, digital transformation, and collaborative leadership—reflecting his belief that global progress depends on local empowerment.
In the realm of education and digital strategy, Dr. Leon has played a catalytic role. At Ocean County College, he expanded online learning programs and integrated an innovative Learning Management System (LMS) to enhance online pedagogy. Through faculty training, curriculum development, and focused curriculum instructional design (CID), he significantly improved student outcomes and institutional resilience. His contributions to online education have had ripple effects, influencing digital learning frameworks used in higher education settings nationwide.
A prolific scholar, Dr. Leon has authored or co-authored more than 150 academic works, including peer-reviewed journal articles, data management plans, and policy papers (ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0930-0179). He is the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Roleplaying Studies and STEAM, a groundbreaking platform exploring narrative learning and game-based education. His research has been presented at prestigious international forums hosted by NSF, the International Association for Transdisciplinary Communication, and academic consortia focused on STEM and Research. His research spans three HERD S&E categories:
- H. Social Sciences: business development, cultural studies, digital marketing, strategic planning, data governance, and open science practices;
- I. Other Sciences: role-playing game theory (RPGT), game theory (GT), and game-based learning;
- J. Education: transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary communication, educational innovation, STEM pedagogy, and hybrid learning systems.
Dr. Leon is a deeply engaged board and committee leader. He serves on advisory panels for CLEAR (The Collaborative for Leadership, Education, and Assessment Research) and previously served on the advisory panels for the Long Branch Public School District and the Tecolutla Turtle Preservation Project. His nonprofit work includes mentoring roles with Habitat for Humanity and spearheading community-based fundraising strategies that blend storytelling with strategic development.
His honors include the Doctor Honoris Causa for co-creating projects with Nahuatl-speaking communities in La Huasteca region of Mexico, Magna Cum Laude distinction for his Ph.D., a Summa Cum Laude distinction for his MBA, and a place in the Marquis Who’s Who Biographical Registry with an Executive Spotlight. These accolades reflect a professional life marked not only by intellectual achievement, but also by a profound dedication to cultural heritage, equity, and the public good.
Dr. Leon’s leadership philosophy is anchored in the belief that knowledge creation is a shared endeavor. His guiding principle—”Empowering Through Co-Creation”—manifests in his collaborative approach to research, policy, teaching, and social innovation. Whether advancing the next generation of Hispanic scholars or designing AI-enhanced learning ecosystems, he brings people together across disciplines and boundaries to solve complex challenges with creativity, compassion, and courage.
Character:
Dr. Leon brings humility and purpose to every professional engagement, guided by a lifelong commitment to service and representation. His values of inclusion, empowerment, and ethical leadership are evident in both his scholarly contributions and community-driven initiatives.
Knowledge:
With expertise spanning research management, higher education leadership, and transdisciplinary scholarship, Dr. Leon is a thought leader at the intersection of academia, technology, and STEM. His robust academic background and prolific publication record position him as a respected authority in his field.
Strategic:
Cristo Leon combines vision with execution, crafting long-term institutional strategies while managing multimillion-dollar research portfolios with precision. He is adept at aligning diverse stakeholders toward common goals, whether in academic settings, boardrooms, or global leadership forums.
Communication:
A gifted communicator in English and Spanish, Dr. Leon bridges cultural and disciplinary divides through compelling narratives, data-informed dialogue, and inclusive facilitation. He fosters environments where transparency, shared meaning, and impactful storytelling thrive.
