Amy Ortiz-Moretta returned to her alma mater, Washington Adventist University in Maryland, last summer to become the vice president for student life. As a counselor, she’s dealt with drug and alcohol abuse, AIDS and pregnant teenagers. She found her calling, first working with students as a dean at Blue Mountain Academy in Pennsylvania, and then as dean, professor and Title IX coordinator at Kettering College in Ohio.
Here she shares some lessons she’s learned on her journey:
On Purpose: Through the years, I’d often ask myself why the Lord was allowing me to experience such a variety of roles, but as I look back, I see how each experience has helped me to approach my current responsibilities with a new perspective.
On Leadership: As a woman, I challenge myself to think of an interaction from all perspectives. I am blessed to be a daughter, mother, sister, friend and colleague. Each role overlaps and blends in the most beautiful ways. When I work with parents, I can understand why they are so passionate about their child’s education. Working with students allows me to exercise my nurturing qualities when needed or hold them accountable when needed. My hope is that each interaction helps the individuals to feel heard and valued.
On Decision-Making: People in leadership often get criticized for the decisions they make. Unfortunately, most people don’t take the time to understand the rationale behind the decision or all of the factors that go into it. A leader should first spend time working with their team, gathering information and ultimately make the decision and live with the consequences. Celebrate what works and adjust what doesn’t, then move on.
