Tom Sosa, born in Trinidad and Tobago, received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Winnipeg in 1961, and then a Bachelor of Arts honours in 1963 from the same university. He received his Masters in Higher Education from the University of Toronto in 1977 and in 1981 a certificate in Management and Organizational Development from the University of Michigan's Graduate School of Business. In1986 he graduated from the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University and became a registered law practitioner from the ADR Stitt Feld Handy Houston ADR and Faculty of Law University of Windsor in 1998.

Tom Sosa joined the Ryerson faculty in 1964 in the Social Sciences department. Between 1965-1966 he served as Awards Officeer and Director or Financial Aid. In July of 1969 he became the Associate Director of Student Services under David Crombie. He took over at Director in 1971. He continued on as the Director until 1977, when he became the acting Vice President Administration. In July of 1978 he was appointed to the role, and was re-appointed in 1984 for another 6 year term. From 1987-1989, he was appointed as a Bencher of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the governing body of lawyers in Ontario, and served under both liberal and conservative federal governments as Chair, The Canada Employment & Immigration Advisory Council (1981-1986). From 1989 - 1993 he served as the Deputy Minister of Energy and Skills Development. From 1993-1998 he served as the Vice President of Centennial College. Upon his retirement, he joined his sons law firm as a mediator and arbitrator.

He has won many awards including: the Province of Ontario Award for outstanding leadership to the black community in Toronto (1973); Islander Publications Award for Outstanding Contribution to Toronto’s Black Community (1975); the Chaconia Gold Medal, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago (the 2nd highest national award of the Republic awarded for education and community service (1983); African Canadian Achievement Award for education and community service (1998); Leadership Excellence Award for Headstart Project, University of Texas @ Austin & The Board of Governors at Centennial College (based on an initiative in an “at risk” neighbourhood in Toronto to encourage children to succeed by taking an early interest in career opportunities, 1998); and the Consul General (Trinidad & Tobago) Diaspora Award for excellence in community service and academia (2009).