Meet a DEI: Carmen Ortiz
Carmen is a junior studying History and Business Technology Administration. In addition to being a DEI, she is a SUCCESS Program intern. SUCCESS is a program on campus that gives young adults with intellectual disabilities a 4-year college learning experience. Carmen also dedicates time to the Hispanic Latino Student Union as Vice President and is employed with the UMBC Department of Undergraduate Admissions as a blogger and student assistant. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, trying new foods and traveling. She is excited about the new adventures being a DEI will bring.
I have always been passionate about the advocacy of Diversity and saw this as a learning opportunity to strengthen my advocacy and facilitating skills.
Q. When you aren’t performing DEI duties, what are you most likely doing?
Q. How would (someone) describe you?
Q. What would you say are some of your strongest beliefs about diversity?
Q. What made you get involved with The Mosaic Center as a Diversity Educator Intern?
Q. What might someone be surprised to know about you?
I used to bellydance.
Q. When you aren’t performing DEI duties, what are you most likely doing?
I really love to dance, any kind of dance. At my house, we usually host Hispanics and do some Latin dancing in the kitchen. With my friends, we travel to new places and try new things.
Q. How would (someone) describe you?
I am proud to be Mexican-American. I am not afraid to speak my mind, and Iove learning new cultures.
Q. What do you wish other people knew about The Mosaic Center?
I wish people knew how welcoming everyone who works there is. If you have ever felt like you don't belong somewhere, you can always come to the Mosaic Center, where you are sure to be accepted.
Q. What would you say are some of your strongest beliefs about diversity?
I really believe in acceptance and respect. I believe that even if someone is different than you by culture or belief, that is still important to accept and respect them.
Q. What's your personal philosophy on what should be done about promoting communal diversity and inclusion?
Baby steps. One person's attitude towards another person can change a person's whole day or their whole perception of that group of people. I think as individuals we have the power and obligation to make a change for the greater population.
Posted: September 19, 2013, 1:47 PM
