Suzanne M.

Ortega
Menifee, CA 92586
smortega2016@gmail.com
(562) 972-2664

Education
APRIL 2024
M.S. Higher Education Leadership & Student Development | California Baptist University
JUNE 2013
B.S. Biochemistry | California State University, Los Angeles
MAY 2010
A.A. Natural Sciences, A.A. Liberal Arts & Sciences | Cerritos College

Experience
AUGUST 2023 - PRESENT
Coordinator of Campus & Community Engagement | Mt. San Jacinto College
Program Coordina�on/Development:
• Coordinate, develop and assist in the implementa�on of campus and community engagement ac�vi�es such as
guest lecture series, student club ac�vi�es, campus events, and community outreach/collabora�on.
• Develop an annual calendar of events, monitor and coordinate event requests and approvals in Ad Astra, and
ensure events are approved by district leadership following established �melines and protocols.
• U�lize strategic calendaring protocols in the coordina�on of events throughout the semester, calendar year, and
academic year so that ac�vi�es are spaced in a way that allows for adequate resources to be allocated to
planning, marke�ng, and implementa�on.
• Monitor processes and procedures to achieve established goals and objec�ves in accordance with district
standards.
• Collaborate with all District departments and Divisions in the support of campus and community engagement.

Data Collec�on, Budget & Record Organiza�on:

• Ensure ac�vi�es encourage relevant, courageous and respec�ul dialogue and foster awareness and apprecia�on
of the value of diversity and inclusion.
• Coordinate and maintain records and ac�vi�es of all events and be prepared to provide reports to appropriate
leadership.
• Prepare and maintain a variety of records and reports.
• Support the development of appropriate budget and expenditure guidelines for ac�vi�es to ensure they are
aligned in accordance with district procedures and/or SEA funding guidelines.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
• Ensure ac�vi�es encourage relevant, courageous and respec�ul dialogue and foster awareness and apprecia�on
of the value of diversity and inclusion.
• Ensure that ac�vi�es and events meet the highest levels of quality that reinforce the ins�tu�on's role as a social
and cultural center in the community and support the ins�tu�on's equity values.
• Provide day-to-day leadership and work with district staff to ensure campus and community engagement
ac�vi�es meet the mission, vision and values of MSJC.
• Ensure that ac�vi�es and events meet the highest levels of quality that reinforce the ins�tu�on's role as a social
and cultural center in the community and support the ins�tu�on's equity values.
 • Monitor ac�vi�es and materials to ensure they meet the MSJC Branding Guidelines and uphold the District's
mission, vision and values.

AUGUST 2017 – AUGUST 2023

Special Programs Assistant II, Student Life & Development | Mt. San Jacinto College
Program Coordina�on/Development:
• Provided guidance and leadership to student representa�ves in Student Government Associa�on (SGA) and
other student groups that promote student leadership, ethics development and civic engagement.
• Developed and maintained SGA policies and procedures; ensured compliance with district policies and
procedures.
• Developed and coordinated various student ac�vi�es including developing, organizing, and advising various
clubs, cultural, educa�onal and social programs for a diverse student popula�on, staff and community members.
• Developed an annual calendar of events, monitored and coordinated event requests and approvals for SGA and
campus clubs.
• Developed and maintained materials to assist in the coordina�on of campus events such as handbooks,
checklists, request forms.
• Conducted public presenta�ons.
• Assisted with recruitment of student workers.
• Supervised student workers in Student Life department districtwide.
• Assisted in developing and coordina�ng training for student workers.
• Planned, promoted and coordinated student workshops and recogni�on events (e.g. SGA Awards Banquet,
Eagles Recogni�on Ceremony and Interclub Council (ICC) Awards Banquet).
• Reviewed and ensured compliance with SGA and other student ac�vity policies and procedures including
verifying eligibility of SGA members and organizing elec�ons.
• Developed college brochures and related recruitment materials for Student Life and equity programs and ensure
they meet MSJC Branding Guidelines.
• Developed and implemented marke�ng strategies to promote campus ac�vi�es and services.
• U�lized technology solu�ons to communicate and market ac�vi�es to the college and local communi�es as
appropriate.
• Atended conferences and other professional development ac�vi�es relevant to du�es and func�ons;
represented MSJC at local and regional events.
Data Collec�on, Budget & Record Organiza�on:
• Developed, maintained and administered SGA budget and associated programs; ensured revenue and
expenditures were reconciled.
• Facilitated, iden�fied and recommended external funding sources for student development ac�vi�es/programs.
• Organized and maintained records for program evalua�on, development and reports.
• Iden�fied resources and referred special popula�on students to appropriate campus and community support
services and programs.
• Developed and implemented specialized services which address orienta�on, advising, student follow-up and
interven�on.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
• Established and maintained effec�ve working rela�onships with others, including those from a diverse academic,
socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender iden�ty, sexual orienta�on, and ethnic backgrounds of community
college students, faculty, and staff.
• Collaborated with campus departments and programs to establish ac�vi�es and programming for a diverse
student popula�on - DREAMers, LGBTQIA Taskforce, Umoja, La�nx Indigenous Alliance.
• Ensured ac�vi�es foster awareness and apprecia�on of the value of diversity and inclusion as detailed in the
Equity Pledge.
• Served as program support for DREAMers program:
o Maintained website and program records.
 o Collaborated with administrators, faculty and students to provide programming for Undocumented
Student Ac�on week.
o Provided resources to undocumented, DACA, AB540 and DREAM Act students.

MARCH 2013 – AUGUST 2017

Vocational Education & Special Projects Assistant, Career Education | Cerritos College

• Monitored and maintained all records for the Coopera�ve Work Experience Program including maintaining
communica�on with Faculty throughout the semester for distribu�on and collec�on of materials and evalua�ng
student files at the end of the semester to verify comple�on.
• Served as a college representa�ve at various community outreach events, promo�ng Career Technical Educa�on
programs.
• Assisted with various on-campus events when needed: STEM Open House, Senior Preview Day, Manufacturing
Day, and the Community Resource Fair, Re-Entry Resource Fair.
• Monitored and maintained the Advisory Commitee database.
• Coordinated the Annual Advisory Members’ Recogni�on Breakfast including communica�ng with faculty, staff
and industry partners, assis�ng with prepara�on, set-up, check-in and tear down of the event.
• Maintained and updated web site pages, using established formats and standards.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Profession Relevant Skills & Abili�es
• Able to handle multiple assignments simultaneously and set priorities based on college needs.
• Able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, local, District laws, regulations,
policies, and procedures.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with faculty, staff, and
administrators.
• Work cooperatively and productively with internal and external constituencies.
• Theories, principles, and practices associated with higher education leadership.
• Organize, plan, develop, implement, and assess new programs and activities.
• Analyze and assess program outcomes and prepare clear and concise reports.
• Developing, implementing, and assessing practices and processes that enhance student success.
• Work effectively in a shared governance environment.
• Budget development and administration.
Technical & Software
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Extensive computer knowledge – Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook; Moderate knowledge
of Adobe Acrobat Pro DC and document accessibility standards.
• Knowledge of Colleague, Ad Astra, Galaxy, PeopleSoft.

Campus Involvement & Leadership Experience

• Community & College Engagement Commitee, Classified Tri-Chair
• Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility & An�racism (IDEAA) Team, Classified Tri-Chair
• La�nx President’s Advisory Commitee, Classified Representa�ve
• UndocuDREAMers Alliance, Classified Representa�ve
• Student Success Commitee, Classified Representa�ve
Professional Organizations & Trainings
• Associa�on of California Community College Administrators (ACCCA) | Associate Member, December 2023 -
Present
• ACCCA Training | Admin 001: So You Want to be an Administrator, October 2023
• ACCCA Training | Admin 002: Dive into Administra�on, January 2024