Biography

Dr. Ramona Ortega-Liston is an Associate Professor at the University of Akron in Ohio. She teaches Introduction to Public Administration, Ethics in the Public Service, Comparative Public Administration, MPA Internship, Strategic Management, and Leadership and Decision-Making. The professional career advancement of Mexican Americans and minority women is the focus of Dr. Ortega’s research. She has published several articles about specific variables influencing public sector careers: education, on-the-job training, seniority, mentoring, affirmative action, and workplace discrimination. From 2000-2004, Dr. Ortega-Liston was a Bush/Cheney Transition Team volunteer, working in the Office of Presidential Personnel, Boards and Commissions, and Office of the First Lady. She served as a National Host for the Presidential Inaugural Committee “Leave No Child Behind” Awards Luncheon. For her outstanding service, Dr. Ortega was honored as a Charter Member of the ASU Research Park Board of Directors. She was a member of the Arizona Governor’s Trade Delegation to Japan (1985) marketing the ASU Research Park in the Pacific Rim. She has many years of public service to her credit. She received appointments to presidential commissions during the Reagan and Bush Administrations, including the Community Colleges of the Air Force Board of Visitors (1986-1990), the Army Command and General Staff College Board of Directors (1990-1993), and the National Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance (1990-1992). She is a recipient of the Air Force Award for Meritorious Civilian Service. Dr. Ortega was Director of the Unaccompanied Minors Shelter Care Program (UMSCP), a non-profit organization; for her exemplary service she was recognized by the U.S. Office of the Inspector General for creating a model shelter for illegal minors.