Suzanne Ortega

Executive Vice President and Provost

Suzanne Ortega is serving as the Executive Vice President and Provost of the University of New Mexico. She began in August 2008. 

Prior to her appointment at the University of New Mexico, she served for three years as Vice Provost and Graduate Dean at the University of Washington.  Ortega's master’s and doctorate degrees in sociology were completed at Vanderbilt University.  She served as assistant/associate graduate dean from 1994-2000 at the University of Nebraska and as Vice Provost for Advanced Studies and Dean of the Graduate School at the University of Missouri from 2000-2005.

With primary research interests in mental health epidemiology, health services, and race and ethnic relations, Ortega is the author or co-author of numerous journal articles, book chapters, and an introductory sociology text, now in its 7th edition.  Ortega, an award winning teacher, has served on a number of review panels for NSF and NIH and she has been the principal investigator or co-investigator on grants totaling more than $6 million in state and federal funds.  Her work to secure funding for and develop successful Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Degree, Preparing Future Faculty, Ph.D. Completion, and Diversity Enhancement programs, including the CGS/Peterson’s Award for Innovations in Promoting an Inclusive Graduate Community are among her most important administrative accomplishments. 

Ortega is active in her national disciplinary association, having served on the American Sociological Association (ASA) Advisory Board for Preparing Future Faculty, the ASA Executive Office and Budget committee and currently serving as a member of the Journal of Health and Social Behavior editorial board.  In addition, she has served on the Executive Board of the NASULGC Council on Research Policy and Graduate Education and is a past-Chair of the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools and Council of Graduate Schools' Boards.  Ortega currently chairs the GRE Board, serves as a member of the National Academies of Science Committee on the Assessment of the Research Doctorate, and is a member of the National Science Foundation’s Human Resources Expert Panel.