Dr. Elizabeth Ortiz to Offer MLK Education Day Lecture Feb. 10
Seton Hill University’s Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Task Force will hold its annual educational program in commemoration of Dr. King’s birthday featuring Dr. Elizabeth Ortiz, a longtime leader in higher education.
The event will be held on Tuesday, February 10 at 7 p.m. in Cecilian Hall on the second floor of the University’s Administration Building. The event is free and open to the public.
Dr. Ortiz will speak on the topic, “Redefining the Dream: Justice, Faith and the Call to Change Within.” Dr. Ortiz will challenge the audience to reflect on the continued relevance of Dr. King’s message and inspire them to advance justice, engage faith, and build truly welcoming communities.
In addition to the education program, the Seton Hill community will participate in a Day of Service in honor of Dr. King on Saturday, Feb. 21.
As Seton Hill’s Spring 2026 Semester did not begin until after Martin Luther King Jr. Day, events honoring Dr. King are being held in February.
About the Speaker
Elizabeth Ortiz's professional experience spans more than 35 years in public and private higher education. Throughout her extensive career, she has worked with educators, policy leaders, and community representatives committed to equity, and inclusion in education. Before her retirement on June 30, 2023, Dr. Ortiz served as the vice president of Institutional Diversity and Equity at DePaul University for 21 years. She was a pioneer in the field, and she spearheaded policies, programs, and initiatives locally and nationally to increase the access and success of underrepresented students, faculty, and staff. Prior to her work at DePaul University, she was the director of Affirmative Action and Diversity Resources at Northern Illinois University and Director of Hispanic Programs at Chicago State University.
Dr. Ortiz currently serves as on the board of Niagara University. She is also a co-chair of the Consortium of Senior Diversity Officers in Catholic Higher Education.
Dr. Ortiz has been awarded numerous awards for her service, including the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Excellence in Leadership Honor for Educational Change, Illinois Commission on Diversity and Human Relations, Most Powerful and Influential Woman of Illinois, National Diversity Council, YWCA Women of Distinction, and was named in the “Who’s Who in Hispanic Chicago” List in the Education. Dr. Ortiz has a bachelor’s in business management from Calumet College of St. Joseph’s, a master’s in leadership and policy Studies, and a doctorate in counseling and higher education from Northern Illinois University.
The event will be held on Tuesday, February 10 at 7 p.m. in Cecilian Hall on the second floor of the University’s Administration Building. The event is free and open to the public.
Dr. Ortiz will speak on the topic, “Redefining the Dream: Justice, Faith and the Call to Change Within.” Dr. Ortiz will challenge the audience to reflect on the continued relevance of Dr. King’s message and inspire them to advance justice, engage faith, and build truly welcoming communities.
In addition to the education program, the Seton Hill community will participate in a Day of Service in honor of Dr. King on Saturday, Feb. 21.
As Seton Hill’s Spring 2026 Semester did not begin until after Martin Luther King Jr. Day, events honoring Dr. King are being held in February.
About the Speaker
Elizabeth Ortiz's professional experience spans more than 35 years in public and private higher education. Throughout her extensive career, she has worked with educators, policy leaders, and community representatives committed to equity, and inclusion in education. Before her retirement on June 30, 2023, Dr. Ortiz served as the vice president of Institutional Diversity and Equity at DePaul University for 21 years. She was a pioneer in the field, and she spearheaded policies, programs, and initiatives locally and nationally to increase the access and success of underrepresented students, faculty, and staff. Prior to her work at DePaul University, she was the director of Affirmative Action and Diversity Resources at Northern Illinois University and Director of Hispanic Programs at Chicago State University. Dr. Ortiz currently serves as on the board of Niagara University. She is also a co-chair of the Consortium of Senior Diversity Officers in Catholic Higher Education.
Dr. Ortiz has been awarded numerous awards for her service, including the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Excellence in Leadership Honor for Educational Change, Illinois Commission on Diversity and Human Relations, Most Powerful and Influential Woman of Illinois, National Diversity Council, YWCA Women of Distinction, and was named in the “Who’s Who in Hispanic Chicago” List in the Education. Dr. Ortiz has a bachelor’s in business management from Calumet College of St. Joseph’s, a master’s in leadership and policy Studies, and a doctorate in counseling and higher education from Northern Illinois University.