Cynthia K. Orellana (She/Her/Ella)
About Cynthia K. Orellana (She/Her/Ella)
Cynthia K. Orellana serves as the Director of the Office of Community Partnerships at the University of Massachusetts Boston, where she has worked since 2016. She has a strong background in higher education policy and community engagement, holding degrees from Northeastern University, Tufts University, and currently pursuing a PhD at UMass Boston.
Work at UMass Boston
Cynthia K. Orellana serves as the Director of the Office of Community Partnerships at the University of Massachusetts Boston. She has held this position since 2016, focusing on developing innovative models to bridge external and campus communities. Orellana provides strategic leadership in embedding community-engaged practices throughout the university. She leads collaborative teams and coalitions aimed at enhancing community partnerships and advises local and national higher education groups on projects related to anti-racism, equity, and social justice.
Education and Expertise
Cynthia K. Orellana holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Northeastern University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She completed her studies there from 2000 to 2005, with minors in Latino/Caribbean Studies and African American Studies. Orellana earned a Master of Arts in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University, focusing on social policy and community development from 2005 to 2007. She is currently a PhD candidate in Higher Education Leadership at the University of Massachusetts Boston, pursuing her degree from 2018 to 2023.
Background
Before her current role at UMass Boston, Cynthia K. Orellana held various positions in higher education and community development. She worked at the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education in several capacities, including Assistant Commissioner for Access and Success Strategies, Director of P-16 Policy and Collaborative Initiatives, and Assistant Director of P-16 Policy and Collaborative Initiatives. Additionally, she briefly served as a Coordinator and Quality Control Officer at the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration in 2004. Orellana also gained experience as an intern with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute in 2003.
Achievements
In her role at UMass Boston, Cynthia K. Orellana has facilitated the creation of multiple publications and tools that showcase the university's community engagement efforts. She leads initiatives that promote community-engaged practices and collaborates with various stakeholders to enhance partnerships. Orellana's work emphasizes anti-racism, equity, and social justice, contributing to the broader mission of integrating these values into higher education.