Dr. Ramona Ortega is the daughter of Mexican migrants that immigrated to the United States in the 1930’s seeking the American dream. After enduring years of physical and emotional hardship throughout the 1950’s, Ramona and members of her large family found the dreams they sought. This is the inspiring story of one of the nine children born to Maria and Blas Ortega who set out to pursue her own American dream. Her name is Ramona. 

Not letting the stifling poverty she knew as a child stop her Ramona moved from the Iowa cornfields to Arizona pursuing her dream of going to college. She was triumphant in her educational quest successfully earning an Associate of Arts degree from Scottsdale Community College (with highest distinction), a Bachelor of Science degree (magna cum laude) from Arizona State University (ASU) and a Master’s degree from Harvard University. But she was not finished going on to earn a doctorate from ASU eventually becoming an associate professor at The University of Akron where she was named one of six “Women “Trailblazers.” Ramona pursued other aspects of her American dream by volunteering for the Bush-Cheney Transition Team (2000-2001) later becoming a Co-Host for the Presidential Inaugural Committee Awards Luncheon “Leave No Child Behind.” And, yes, Ramona danced at four presidential inaugural balls! 

Ramona has many years of public service to her credit becoming a Charter Member of the ASU Research Park Board of Directors and a member of the Arizona Governor’s Trade Delegation to Japan. She is the recipient of three prestigious presidential appointments. She was appointed by the Reagan Administration to the Community Colleges of the Air Force Board of Visitors and received the prestigious Air Force Award for Meritorious Civilian Service. Next Ramona was appointed by the George H. W. Bush Administration to the Army Command and General Staff College Advisory Board and to the National Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance. Ramona’s many tiered career includes being an associate in the investment banking firm of Boettcher and Company and she later served as director of the Unaccompanied Minors Shelter Care Program (UMSCP) receiving special recognition by the U.S. Office of the Inspector General for creating a model shelter for unaccompanied minors. 

Dr. Ortega’s interest in government and politics began as a Scottsdale Community College student aide to Sandra Day O’Connor in 1975 later becoming Deputy Administrative Assistant to Congressman John McCain (now U.S. Senator). She has been a dynamic speaker on Hispanic and women’s issues at Harvard University and Radcliffe College and is a published author. Among her many research publications are articles on the variables influencing public sector careers of Hispanics and women in higher education. 

Only in America can a daughter of Mexican migrants grow up to accomplish the things Ramona has and to live her idea of the American Dream; few expected that she would become a world traveler presenting academic papers on six of the seven continents. Ramona’s story is inspirational and illustrates that through hard work and educational preparation anyone can rise above their humble beginnings and enjoy the fruits of an independent and courageous spirit.

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