By Kyle Chmielowski
On July 1, 2024, Wilbur Wright College welcomed its new president Dr. Andres Oroz. Departing from his role as Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs at Oregon Coast Community College, Dr. Oroz brings a wealth of experience to Wright College.
He previously served as Associate Vice President of Student Life at Roxbury Community College and Associate Dean of Academic Services in the School of Education at Loyola University Chicago.
Dr. Oroz earned his Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies and his Master of Education in Higher Education from the University of Texas at El Paso and his Ph.D. in organizational leadership from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
The Wright Times had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Oroz to learn about the mindset he carries with him into this new role. Additionally, what he envisions for the success of faculty, students, and staff.
President Andres Oroz: “I want to make sure that every single voice is heard.” (Photo Credit: Kyle Chmielowski)
Q: What does being an effective leader look like to you?
A: It's open communication with all stakeholders. Being able to speak and listen is very important. Especially as president, my first couple of weeks has been listening to the needs of our faculty, students, and staff, getting as much information as possible to be able to support our colleagues. Formulating a framework in a position on how to move the college forward and providing resources so the staff can do the work that needs to be done to ensure student success.
Q: So with your experience from other schools across the country, what do you hope to bring from that previous experience to Wilbur Wright College?
A: I'm a researcher at heart and I'm a practitioner. I bring all that knowledge and the understanding that we are a unique institution and it's not going to look the same. My passion is student success, making sure that our students are going through the process, a good experience for our students and ultimately their graduation, right? I love commencement because I get to see those students cross the stage. I bring that perspective and knowledge about it. I have been a faculty member so I bring the instructional side experience and then support for our faculty.
Q: What is something from your experience as a college student that you could advise the students here?
A: You know, I talked about this during our new student convocation. My advice is to be curious, ask questions, don't be shy. This is an opportunity for us to learn. We have professors, staff, and other students who bring different experiences that we might not know. So, ask those questions! At the same time, we know that it's not going to be an easy road. We have so many things going on like work and family, so we need that persistence and perseverance. Be consistent if you need to take a break from school, rather than going full-time, you might go part-time but continue to go at it because we know that education is the key to success. We want to make sure that you continue to be in the classroom.
Q: Every day you come to work enthusiastic, why? What impact are you hoping to have?
A: I love my job, I love working in higher education. I developed that passion when I was a student myself as an undergrad because I was active in student government and student activities. This is where I learned about the support services that are available to students. I wanted to go into higher education to give back. I wanted to make sure that students who look like me or not like me had the same opportunity that I had as an undergraduate. That drive and passion make me happy to support our students to create the pathway, of equity. Every single student has an opportunity to be successful because we know education opens up opportunities.
Q: Is there a specific experience you remember from your life that helped shape your attitude towards your job today or a mindset?
A: When I was an undergraduate I was working at a student development office, the student activities. We had a new Dean of Students who came by, she met with everybody, our staff, administrators, and our students. We were equal and I saw that good and openness in her and that shaped how I wanted to be an administrator. My dream job was to be a Dean of Students, just like her because she was very open and supportive to our students. That's who shaped how I act. As a minority, I was invited to the table but I was not invited to speak. You know, discrimination happens in the workplace. I want to make sure that every single voice is heard. I'm not only inviting people to the table, I really want to hear them out, and that shaped the way because of my own experience.
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