The former managing director of Goldman Sachs & Co. knows the meaning of a good investment.
Member of Adelphi University’s Profiles in Success program.
Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Student Funding Group, LLC
Favorite professor: Dean Patchias, who was so passionate and enthusiastic about the subject of business.Favorite class: I really took a lot from my accounting courses. They helped reinforce the logic of business for me.
Advice for students: Have a plan that goes beyond five or ten years, then learn the skill set you’ll need to achieve that plan.
Investing in Education
Former Goldman Sachs & Co. managing director Sergio Sotolongo knows the meaning of a good investment.
In high school, Mr. Sotolongo evaluated colleges and ultimately made his selection by assessing the amount of resources devoted to undergraduate students. Today, he works to provide user-friendly information and assistance to families and students who need to find the means to pay for college.
In 2006, he founded Student Funding Group, LLC. (StuFund), the first minority business enterprise that is a loan origination company.
“College tuitions continue to rise. People really need to be deliberate in finding a method to achieve the dream of higher education for their kids.”
StuFund offers both government-sponsored programs, such as Stafford Loans and private or alternative loans. It also offers loan options to students, parents, and graduates who want to consolidate their loan packages.
Above all, he prides himself on his company’s level of service. Central to its mission is the belief that every student, regardless of race or class, should have the opportunity to attend college without undue financial concern. Because of this, he is optimistic about the company’s performance.
Prior to founding StuFund, Mr. Sotolongo served as the Head of the Office of Career Development with the fixed income currency and commodities division of Goldman Sachs & Co. In his 20-year career with the investment firm, he also managed the New York-based international sales desk, working with a variety of industries including central banks, Yankee banks, hedge funds, and rate of return accounts. During his tenure at Goldman, he spent several years working closely with fellow alumna Noreen Harrington ’81.
A native of Cuba, Mr. Sotolongo grew up in East Harlem, New York, a community he describes as “rich, if not wealthy.” He serves as vice chairman of the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone board and is a board member of First Choice, an inner city self-help group. He is also a member of the Executive Leadership Council, the largest minority business organization in the United States.
For further information, please contact:
Todd Wilson
Strategic Communications Director
p – 516.237.8634
e – twilson@adelphi.edu