Yolanda Ortega-Ericksen Retires After 30 Years

Yolanda Ortega-Ericksen, who started work at Metro State
30 years ago as a secretary, is retiring this week as vice president of student services. In between, she worked as a tutorial coordinator, director of student activities, associate dean and dean.

"I truly enjoyed working with the students," Ortega-Ericksen said. "They add so much to this institution and they have motivated me to do the best I can every day."

After 30 years, retirement creates mixed emotions. "It's really bittersweet. I look forward to a new life but it's hard to leave something you love, and I really do love this place," she said.

Ortega-Ericksen is most proud of some of the programs she helped to launch, including the annual statewide Women of Color in Higher Education Conference, the Diversity Initiatives Program, the yearly Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Breakfast and the Latino Literary Symposium, which is now the Richard T. Castro Distinguished Visiting Professorship.

"It's proven to be the best experience in education and life that I could possibly have," she said of her Metro State career.

In addition to taking time to relax, Ortega-Ericksen plans to spend more time acting and singing and has a few theater and movie projects lined up. She'll also continue her volunteer work with Clinica Tepeyac, which helps provide health care for uninsured Latinos, and with Escuela Tlatelolco, a non-profit alternative school.