Meet Dr. Deb Ortega

Debora Ortega, PhD; MSW

Director - Latinx Center
Professor - Graduate School of Social Work

Dr. Debora Ortega is the founding director of the Latinx Center @ the University of Denver.  Her scholarship addresses the way that everyday white supremacy affects Latinx people in health, education and immigration.   She is a professor at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work and the University of Denver/Iliff Joint PhD Program in the Study of Religion.  She joined the DU faculty in 2005.  

She is an award-winning scholar, teacher and mentor.  She received recognition for her work as an awardee of the 2000 University of Kansas Center for Teaching Excellence Award, 2002 University of Kansas Kemper Award, 2002 University of Kansas Silver Anniversary Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2008 University of Denver Center of Multicultural Excellence Outstanding Faculty Award, 2010 University of Denver Center for Multicultural Excellence Out Through the Mind Award, 2012 University of Denver Greek Life Outstanding Faculty Award, and the 2018 University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work Excellence in Mentoring Doctoral Students Award. 

She received her bachelor’s degrees from The University of San Diego in Religious Studies, an MSW from Portland State University, and a PhD from the University of Washington.  She is proud to be a first-generation college student.  She recognizes her family (Robert Ortega, Rosie Ortega, Charles O’Bosky, and Venessa Ortega,), her mentors (Drs. E. Jane Via, Joseph Gallegos, Cheryl Richie and Lorraine Gutierrez), her partner Deborah Jean Carlson and University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work Dean Amanda Moore McBride without whom her educational and professional accomplishments would not have been possible.  It takes more than a village to raise a child, it takes commitment, confrontation and love through the difficult times.

See Dr. Ortega's Portfolio