Deya Ortiz

Deya began her role as the Assistant to the VP for Inclusion, Equity, and Community in November of 2023. In addition to helping the VPIEC with planning, communication, and scheduling, she also coordinates programing and outreach initiatives that support Carleton’s IDE plan.

Originally from Venezuela, Deya comes with an array of professional and personal experiences. She received her associate degree in Venezuela, and had the opportunity and privilege of achieving her goal of learning English as a second language in London. After achieving that goal, she moved to the U.S. where she completed both her undergraduate and graduate education. She was a non-traditional student in many ways: she went to college as an adult, became a parent while in college, English is her second language, she is a 1^st generation student, and belongs to an underrepresented racial group. Her experience as a student holding all these identities motivated her to not only become a professional in higher education in the U.S., but also to advocate for students with similar backgrounds.

​Right after finishing her undergraduate program​, Deya started her professional journey in higher education advising students on how to ​​participate in experiential learning opportunities abroad at Austin Pyea State University (APSU). Then, she spent six years at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse (UWL) also advising students on international experiential learning opportunities, and managing and creating relationships with partner universities around the world. During her time at UWL, she actively participated in the Equity Liaison Initiative, which is a strategic, cooperative, campus-wide effort to identify and close equity gaps affecting students and employees.​ This inspired her to make diversity, inclusion, and equity her professional priority and to join Carleton College in that work.

As the Assistant the VP of Inclusion, Equity, and Community, Deya provides support ​t​o the VPIEC and the IEC division in the implementation of Carleton’s Community Plan for Inclusion, Diversity and Equity​.

Deya holds an M.A. in marketing communication, and an undergraduate degree in communication and international studies both from Austin Peay State University. In 2019, she was awarded the Fulbright International Education Administrators Grant, which allowed her to visit Germany and learn about their education system.