Dr. J. Michael Ortiz

President
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Dr. Ortiz’s commitment to higher education was sparked at an early age as he, along with his three brothers and sister, became the first generation of college graduates in the family. With his visionary style, Dr. Ortiz is positioning Cal Poly Pomona as an innovative leader in higher education. He was appointed by The California State University Board of Trustees as the university’s fifth president in August 2003.

Dr. Ortiz joined the university from California State University, Fresno, where he served as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs (1997-2003).  He arrived at Fresno in 1996 as Associate Provost and Professor of Special Education, after serving as Associate Provost and Interim Provost (1993-96) at the University of Southern Colorado.  His tenure in Pueblo also included administrative responsibilities as Dean of Continuing Education and Director of Summer School (1990-93).  Ortiz’s career in higher education began at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, where he served as a full-time faculty member (1972-85), department chair (1982-85) and Director of the Office of Extension Instruction (1985-1990).  He attained the rank of Professor of Special Education in the department of Language, Reading and Exceptionalities in 1981.

A graduate of the University of New Mexico, Ortiz earned his bachelor’s (1970) and master’s degrees (1971) in Albuquerque before moving on to the University of North Carolina where he completed his Ph.D. in early childhood special education in 1981.  He also engaged in postdoctoral studies at Harvard University. 

A national expert on education, Ortiz was a special advisor to the President’s Committee on Mental Retardation in 1974.  He serves on the Board of Trustees of the BACCHUS and GAMMA Peer Education Network, a Department of Defense Task Force for Hispanic Serving Institutions (DOD/HSI) and on the Advisory Board for the USDA/HSI Collaborative.  He serves on several committees of AASCU, including the Christ McAuliffe Presidential Selection Committee and the Committee on Teacher Education, he is Chair of the CCAA Presidents/Chancellor’s Group Board of Directors, Chair of the CSU Agricultural Research Initiative Board of Governors, and is a member of the ACE Commission on Advancement of Racial and Ethnic Equity.  In addition to these duties, Dr. Ortiz serves on the Los Angeles County Fair Association and the Pasadena Bioscience Center Board of Directors. 

Dr. Ortiz recently received the 2005 KCET “Local Hero Award” sponsored by Union Bank and KCET public broadcasting for outstanding contributions in the education category.  The award was presented at a September 2005 banquet at the KCET studios in Los Angeles.

In addition, the 2005 Golden Hands Achievement Award for outstanding contributions to the community was presented by the Boys and Girls Club of Pomona Valley to Mike and Betty Ortiz at the 37th Annual Golden Hands Achievement Awards Gala in November of 2005.

He was also selected as one of Hispanic Business magazine's 100 Most Influential Hispanics for 2005.

Ortiz and his wife, Betty, have been married since 1982.  He is an avid sports fan and golfer.  The Ortizes have two daughters – Megan and Sumer.