Dr. Zooey Sophia Pook is a transgender, disabled, Lebanese-American scholar whose research focuses on the intersections of politics, technology, and autonomy. She directs the LGBT+ Programs at NMSU and also teaches in the English Department. Zooey Sophia has worked to create the Preferred Name Rule as well as gender-inclusive housing and restroom options, for which NMSU has received national attention. She holds Master’s Degrees in Philosophy and Communication, and a PhD in Rhetoric and Professional Communication. She is currently engaged in grant research to examine healthcare for transgender individuals in southern New Mexico, as well as efforts to bring more attention to accessibility in DEI work. She has been invited to give numerous talks and workshops in the US and abroad for high schools, universities, and community organizations. Her published work can be found in The International Journal of Žižek Studies, Interalia, and Women’s Studies in Communication.  She can be reached directly at zspook@nmsu.edu or through LGBT+ Programs at 575-646-7031.

Fun Fact: Sophia also works at an online record store specializing in jpop. She loves the 90's and retro games such as Ridge Racer 4, which she insists has one of the greatest soundtracks of all time. 

Dr. Zooey Sophia Pook

Director of LGBT+ and Asian & Pacific Islander Program