The Ohio University Office for Diversity and Inclusion recently hired OHIO alum Marlene De La Cruz-Guzman ’14Ph.D. as the new Director of the Office for Multicultural Student Access and Retention.
In 2014, De La Cruz-Guzman earned a Ph.D. in African literature in English from Ohio University.
Marlene De La Cruz-Guzman, Director Office of Multicultural Student Access and Retention
De La Cruz-Guzman has spent the last nearly four years as a learning services specialist in the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. In that role, she was responsible for delivering learning programs that assist medical students. Since coming to the University in 2006 to work as a curricula coordinator in the Heritage College, she has also served as a world and women in literature instructor.
She also has worked at Marquette University, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Towson University and the University of Notre Dame and taught at Lansing (Michigan) Catholic Central High School. She has written many academic book chapters and journal articles.
“I looked at the staff and the wonderful work they are doing – the recruitment numbers, the retention and persistence numbers are sometimes higher than the University’s – so I thought I absolutely have to join the ship if they’d have me,” said De La Cruz-Guzman. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to help streamline the process and continue to add wonderful initiatives that this University can become known for nationwide.”
On July 8, De La Cruz-Guzman attended an OMSAR sponsored reception to announce that it had received a three-year $60,000 grant from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office to recruit and develop programming for former foster care children who want to attend Ohio University.
“My immediate goal is to support the office’s existing programs until I learn more about what else needs to be done,” De La Cruz-Guzman said. “I already know we need to raise the visibility of the office on campus because we are a hidden gem. Our staff needs to get our key messages and successful programs out there so other universities can replicate them.”
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