Rowena Ortiz-Walters is Dean of the School of Business and Economics at SUNY Plattsburgh in NY becoming only the 9th Hispanic-American Dean of a US business school. As dean, Dr. Ortiz-Walters is responsible for building and sustaining a culture that supports student success academically, professionally and personally; strategic planning and creation of a shared vision for the school; maintenance of AACSB accreditation and high educational standards; innovative thinking and programming that meets market demands and student needs; and fostering partnerships with the local, national and international business community. Formerly, she was department chair and professor of management at Quinnipiac University where she co-founded and served as co-director of the Center for Women and Business.

Dr. Ortiz-Walters is also a scholar and public speaker in higher education. Through her scholarship and speaking engagements, she contributes to the national conversation on the status of women’s careers. Additional research expertise and interests include entrepreneurship, issues of diversity and the scholarship of teaching and learning. Sample outlets where her research appears includes Journal of Organizational Behavior, Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship, Journal of Women’s Entrepreneurship and Education, Business Journal of Hispanic Research and Journal of College Teaching and Learning. Speaking engagements include: Catalyst®, Permanent Commission on the Status of Women, Institute on Teaching and Mentoring, and Chambers of Commerce. Dr. Ortiz-Walters earned her doctorate from the University of Connecticut.