Dr. Ramona Ortega-Liston

Title: Associate Professor
Department: Public Administration and Urban Studies
Office: Polsky 265
Phone: 330-972-5414
Email: ramona3@uakron.edu

Biography

Bush/Cheney Transition Team (2000 and 2004) 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.

Research Accomplishments

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. She has worked diligently to help stem violence against young Hispanic women by mobilizing resources from Arizona’s Office of the Governor and organizing town hall meetings calling for citizen action to stop the violence against women in rural Arizona.  

Education

Dr. Ortega earned a doctorate (1998) from Arizona State University (ASU); a M.Ed. from Harvard Graduate School of Education (1981); and a Bachelor of Science (magna cum laude) from Arizona State University (1976).

Courses

Ramona Ortega-Liston is an Associate Professor. She teaches Introduction to Public Administration, Ethics in the Public Service, Comparative Public Administration, MPA Internship, Strategic Management, and Leadership and Decision-Making.  Dr. Ortega created the Washington, D. C. Summer Seminar for MPA students; the seminar offers students opportunities to learn about the three-branches of the federal government.