Kendricks Hooker, Ph.D., and Ramon Ortiz, Jr., Ph.D., have been named associate deans in Madison Area Technical College’s School of Arts and Sciences.
Hooker came from Baptist College of Health Sciences in Memphis, Tenn., and Ortiz was working at UW-Whitewater. Both said that they were drawn by the college’s commitment to open access to higher education.
Madison College, the second-largest institution in the Wisconsin Technical College System, serves more than 37,000 students throughout a 12-county district in south-central Wisconsin, offering more than 150 diverse career programs and certificates. Its mission is to provide open access to quality higher education that fosters lifelong learning and success in the communities it serves.
Hooker is a graduate of Coahoma Community College in Clarksdale, Miss., and Jackson State University in Jackson, Miss. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology and also received a doctorate degree in Urban Higher Education and a Master of Business Administration.
Prior to his current position, Hooker developed the Biomedical Sciences department at Baptist College of Health Sciences. He chaired that department and the Pre-Health Studies program.
“Baptist College is unique in that it is affiliated with the largest hospital in the region and produces patient care professionals on a trimester schedule,” Hooker said.
His duties at Madison College include providing primary support for instructors in Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Physical Science and Physical Education. Hooker will assist with scheduling, hiring instructors, and dealing with student and faculty concerns for all campuses.
Ortiz says that he appreciates the open access of Madison College. “Throughout my life, I have always been an advocate of expanding opportunities for post-secondary access, to all people, including the most marginalized,” Ortiz said. “Anything is possible for anyone who comes to Madison College. This place is a stepping stone to realizing your full potential.”
Ortiz was interim vice chancellor in the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Student Success at UW-Whitewater and held several other positions such as executive director of Precollege programs. He holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Finance from UW-Whitewater. Ortiz also earned a doctorate in Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis from UW-Madison.
In his new position, Ortiz supports, designs and oversees the business processes and practices of the School of Arts and Sciences. He manages program budgets and supports the development of pathways for transfer to four-year institutions.
