Mateo Cruz

Mateo Cruz

  • Assistant Professor Management, Management
  • Ph.D. in Social-Organizational Psychology, Columbia University
  • M.Phil. Columbia University
  • M.A. in Organizational Psychology, Columbia University
  • B.A. in Social Work, 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, social justice (DEIJ), 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

Bio

Dr. Mateo Cruz is a nationally recognized teaching-scholar at Bentley University. His primary research examines unconscious, invisible, and/or covert dynamics that occur in workplace contexts specific to diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice (DEIJ), and change. His research has been published in top management and psychology outlets and presented to academic & executive audiences in the US, UK, and South Africa.

Mateo teaches a wide range of courses including organizational theory, group & team dynamics, interpersonal relations, leading transformational change, and applied research. His teaching spans undergraduate, graduate, and executive audiences. He has received two “Innovation in Teaching” awards, the Joseph M. Cronin Award for Academic Advising & Mentoring, and the Dr. Earl L. Avery MLK Leadership Award. In 2025, Mateo received the national “New Educator Award” from the Management & Organizational Behavior Teaching Society (MOBTS), a prestigious recognition of his classroom impact and groundbreaking research on teaching and learning in business education.

Mateo holds 20 years of experience as an organization development and change (ODC) consultant & trainer specializing in inclusive leadership, group & team dynamics, and organizational change. He currently serves as a Faculty Advisor to the Center for Women and Business at Bentley University and is a proud member of the Executive Board of Directors for GLSEN National, the leading LGBTQ education advocacy organization in the US. In 2024, Mateo received Bentley’s Presidential Faculty Fellowship which provided resources for him to direct Bentley’s first Pride & Purpose summit for LGBTQ professionals and allies.

Professional Memberships

  • Center for Positive Organizations (CPO) Community of Scholars Present
  • Management Faculty of Color Association, Inc. Present
  • Management & Organizational Behavior Teaching Society Present
  • Academy of Management Present
  • American Psychological Association Present
  • Society for Industrial Organizational Psychology Present
  • The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues Present

    • Awards and Honors

  • New Educator Award, Management & Organizational Behavior Teaching Society (MOBTS)
  • Dr. Earl L. Avery MLK Leadership Award, Bentley University
  • Faculty Initiate of the Year, Delta Sigma Pi (DSP) Business Fraternity
  • Innovation in Teaching Award, The Teaching and Scholarly Affairs Committee (TSAC)
  • Presidential Faculty Fellowship, Office of the President at Bentley University
  • Best Paper Award Nomination, The 15th Annual Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Conference
  • Innovation in Teaching Award, The Teaching and Scholarly Affairs Committee (TSAC)
  • Best Scholarly Capstone, Mengyao Lu (Faculty Advisor: Mateo Cruz, PhD), Bentley University
  • Joseph M. Cronin Award for Excellence in Academic Advising and Mentoring, Bentley University
  • The Provost’s Doctoral Dissertation Grant, Columbia University
  • Nominee, The K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Award, Association of American Colleges & Universities (AAC&U)
  • Valente Seminar Series on Intersectionality Fellowship, The Jeanne & Dan Valente Center for Arts & Sciences at Bentley University
  • Doctoral Institute Scholarship, Organizational Behavior Teaching Society (OBTS)
  • Fellowship for Teaching & Diversity, Columbia University

    • Scholarly Contributions and Creative Productions

    Journal Articles

  • Cruz, M. (2026). Paradox lost: A systematic review of trans workplace research and the case for a trans epistemology. Applied Psychology: An International Review (Link)
  • Thoroughgood, C. N., Sawyer, K. B., Watson, G. P., Cruz, M., Gabriel, K., Pervez, A. (2026). The hidden cost of courage: How oppositional courage shapes trans employees’ diminished image belief. Journal of Applied Psychology (Link)
  • Gandhi, Y., Randall, A. K., Cruz, M., Pfriman, S. (2025). Association between Masculine Contest Culture and turnover intentions for women STEM faculty: The moderating role of positive dyadic coping. Personal Relationships, (32) 4 1-13.
  • Cruz, M., Nagy, N. (2024). Profiles in persistence: A latent profile analysis of multilevel coping strategies enacted among women in the sciences. Journal of Organizational Behavior, (45) Issue 3 (Link)
  • 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. (Link)
  • 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. (Link)
  • 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. (Link)

    • Book Chapters

  • Cruz, M., DuBois, H. T., Sawyer, K. B., Thoroughgood, C. N. (2026). Defending Transgender and Nonbinary Employees from Gender Ideology Extremism Call to Action for Policymakers: Defending and Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Emerald Insights (Link)
  • Cruz, M., Davi, W., Pfirman Schlosser, M., Jose Taveras Soriano, M. (2025). Teaching to transcend: A paradox perspective on transgender and nonbinary integration in the management classroom Championing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Volume 2: Effective Strategies for Management Education. Springer Nature Link (Link)
  • Cruz, M. (2023). Stereotype threat SAGE Business Core: Organizational Behavior. SAGE Publications, Inc. (Link)
  • 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 The Palgrave Handbook of Fulfillment, Wellness, and Personal Growth at Work. Springer International (Link)
  • Cruz, M., Fong-Olivares, Y., Davi, W. (2022). Brave dialogues: An essential leadership practice to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in organizations Leading with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Approaches, Practices and Cases for Integral Leadership Strategy. Future of Business and Finance (FBF) Book Series. Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022 (Link)
  • Golom, F. D., Cruz, M. (2021). Context-Levels-Culture (CLC): A diagnostic framework for consulting to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) change in organizations Research in Organizational Change and Development. Emerald Publishing Limited (Link)

    • Other Scholarly Work

  • Steinfield, L., Abott, T., Cruz, M., Pierre-Louis, K., Hein, W. (2022). Coping with Intersectional Oppressions: Consumers’ Experience of the Neoliberal-Imperialist White-Supremacist Capitalist Patriarchy of Business Schools. Consumer Culture Theory Consortium .

    • Presentations

  • Watson, G. P., Cruz, M., Webster, J. R., Pervez, A., Thoughroughgood, C. N. (2025). “The power of hope: How witnessing oppositional courage from cisgender allies inspires trans and nonbinary employees to support social justice efforts” Presented at the Society for Industrial Organizational Psychology (SIOP) SIOP Annual Conference Denver, CO
  • Luckie, D., Cruz, M. (2025). “Theorizing Black men's vulnerability to unwanted sexual advances at work ” Presented at the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) SPSSI Annual Conference Portland, OR
  • Cruz, M., Watson, G. P., Webster, J. R., Pervez, A., Thoroughgood, C. N. (2025). “When oppositional courage is contagious: The mediating role of hope and the moderating role of social status on collection action for trans and nonbinary rights ” Presented at the Academy of Management (AOM) AOM Annual Meeting Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Micheli, M. R., Campana, M., Cruz, M., Fletcher, L., Hudson, B. A., Rofcanin, Y., Pichler, S. M., Ruggs, E. N., Wilson, M. (2025). “LGBTQIA+ in Research, Teaching, and Society: What’s Next? ” Presented at the Academy of Management (AOM) AOM Annual Meeting Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Cruz, M., Luckie, D., Stamps, D. (2025). “Predator or prey?: Black men’s vulnerability to unwanted sexual advances in workplace settings” Presented at the Academy of Management (AOM) AOM Annual Meeting Copenhagen, Denmark

    • Service

    Service: Department

  • Committee Member for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Curriculum Committee 2022-11-01 - 2023-12-31
  • Committee Member for Assurance of Learning (AOL) for MG 240 2022-01-01 - 2023-05-31
  • Committee Member for OB Tenure Track Hiring Committee 2022-06-01 - 2022-11-30
  • Committee Member for OB Curriculum Revision Committee 2021-09-21 - 2022-02-01
  • Committee Member for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Working Group 2020-08-06 - 2021-05-01
  • Committee Member for Management Teaching Committee 2018-10-01 - 2020-07-31
  • Committee Member for GB215 Team Project Review 2017-11-01 - 2018-01-11

    • Service: Public

  • Board Member for GLSEN National - Present
  • Advisor for YW Boston’s Emerging Trans Leadership Program - Present

    • Service: Professional

  • Mentor for SIOP LGBTQ Mentoring Program - Present
  • Committee Member for MOBTS New Educator Award Committee - Present
  • Committee Member for Emerging Scholar Editorial Board (ESEB) at Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal - Present
  • Co-Editor for Frontiers in Psychology - Present
  • Board of Advisors for Mount Sinai Health System - Present
  • Committee Member for Saroj Parasuraman Award for Outstanding DEI Publication - Present
  • Editorial Review Board Member for SAGE Business Education (Biz) - Present

    • Service: Ph.D. Advising

  • Supervisor 2023/03 - Present

    • Service: University

  • Committee Member for Masters in Management (MiM) Design Team - Present
  • Committee Member for MiM Learning Experience and Course Design Subcommittee - Present
  • Guest Speaker for Multicultural Center - 2024-11-22
  • Program Director for Pride & Purpose Summit - Present
  • Lead Organizer for Global Storytelling for Change - Present
  • for AACSB Review - Present
  • for Design Team for PMBA course - Present
  • Conference/Workshop Organizer for Rainbow Scholars - 2024-02-03
  • Guest Speaker for Academic Leadership - 2024-01-25
  • Conference/Workshop Organizer for Bentley Service Learning & Civic Engagement Center (BSLCE) - 2023-11-01
  • Conference/Workshop Organizer for Culture Fest - 2023-10-31
  • Guest Speaker for African Students Association (ASA) - 2023-10-25
  • Committee Member for Faculty & Staff Diversity Retreat, Office of Diversity and Inclusion 2024-07-16 - 2024-07-18
  • Guest Speaker for Men as Allies Summit - 2024-03-31
  • Guest Speaker for Kappa Delta - 2024-02-28
  • Workshop Design and Facilitation for MLK Day of Social Justice - 2024-01-31
  • Guest Speaker for Executive Ph.D. Program - Present
  • Conference/Workshop Organizer for Bentley Teaching & Learning Council - 2023-04-20
  • Guest Speaker for Delta Sigma Pi - Professional Business Fraternity - 2023-02-10
  • Guest Speaker for Bentley Consulting Association (BCA) - 2022-11-30
  • Guest Speaker for Annual Giving and Advancement Relations - 2022-09-27
  • Guest Speaker for Delta Sigma Pi - Professional Business Fraternity - 2022-09-16
  • Committee Member for Learning Management System (LMS) Implementation - Present
  • Committee Member for Emerging Alumni Leader Award Committee - Present
  • Program Organizer for BSLCE Social Justice Faculty Fellow 2022-06-30 - 2023-04-05
  • Committee Member for Faculty Advisory Committee LMS Implementation 2022-07-08 - 2022-11-30
  • Facilitator for Faculty & Staff Diversity Retreat, Office of Diversity and Inclusion - 2022-06-16
  • Guest Speaker for The Office of Diversity & Inclusion - 2022-06-01
  • Guest Speaker for The Bentley Learning & Teaching Council's (BLTC) Annual Teaching Colloquium - 2022-05-17
  • Guest Speaker for Rainbow Graduation, Gender and Sexuality Student Programs - 2022-05-02
  • Guest Speaker for Coming Full Circle (CFC) - 2022-04-20
  • Committee Member for Strategic Planning Committee - Positioning & Partnerships 2021-10-20 - 2022-03-31
  • Guest Speaker for Alpha Psi Omega - National Theatre Honor Society - 2021-10-06
  • Committee Member for Strategic Planning (Positioning & Partnerships) - Present
  • Student Organization Advisor for Alpha Psi Omega - National Theatre Honor Society 2021-07-01 - 2023-06-30
  • Student Organization Advisor for The Bentley Investment Group (BIG) Diversity & Inclusion Committee - Present
  • Mentor (Faculty) for The Bentley University Honors Program - Present
  • Committee Member for Associate Dean of DE&I Search - 2021-04-30
  • Guest Speaker for The Office of Diversity & Inclusion - Present
  • Guest Speaker for Office of Undergraduate Admission - Present
  • Guest Speaker for Gender and Sexuality Student Programs Office - 2021-03-10
  • Conference/Workshop Organizer for The Office of Diversity & Inclusion - Present
  • Student Organization Advisor for The Bentley Investment Group (BIG) D&I Committee - Present
  • Committee Member for Racial Justice Task Force - Present
  • Conference/Workshop Organizer for The Office of Diversity & Inclusion - Present
  • Guest Speaker for FirstGen Presidential Fellows Pre-Arrival Program - Present
  • Mentor (Faculty) for Valente Center Undergraduate Research Program - Present
  • for Convocation Speaker, Remarks from the Faculty - Present
  • for Baccalaureate Speaker, Remarks from the Faculty - Present
  • Committee Member for Core Values Working Group - Present
  • Guest Speaker for Delta Sigma Pi - Professional Business Fraternity - Present
  • for Deans' Case Competition - Present
  • for Core Values Advisory Group, Office of the President - Present
  • Mentor (Faculty) for The Gloria Cordes Larson Center for Women and Business - Present
  • Student Organization Advisor for Delta Sigma Pi - Professional Business Fraternity - Present
  • Guest Speaker for Multicultural Center - Present
  • Committee Member for Assurance of Learning (AOL) - Present