ANITA CORTEZ
Director, Developing Scholars Program
Helping students through their academic journey is the most important goal for Anita Cortez, administrative director of the Developing Scholars Program at Kansas State University. Cortez has guided the program since it was launched in 2000.
The intent of the program, which provides research opportunities for undergraduate students, is threefold: to address the changing demographics of Kansas by providing opportunity and access for historically underrepresented students; to increase graduation rates and postbaccalaureate education among underrepresented students; and to provide a more diverse pool of individuals for the 21st century work force.
Under Cortez, the Developing Scholars Program has tripled in size since 2000, from 20 to 60 students. The program has helped prepare students for graduate programs and professional programs such as medical school, law school, optometry and more.
Since arriving at K-State in 1985, Cortez has served in many capacities of student assistance. She was the coordinator for K-State's PILOTS Program, a program designed for the retention of at-risk freshman students, from 1994-2006. She served as a language arts specialist with K-State's Academic Assistance Center from 1989-1994; a learning skills specialist with Educational Supportive Services from 1987-1994; and as an adjunct instructor in the K-State department of English from 1985-1989. She was the recipient of the Commerce Bank Presidential Award for Distinguished Service to Multicultural Education in 2001-2002.
Cortez also has made numerous professional presentations on working with diverse undergraduate students, in addition to publishing articles on that topic. In addition, her poetry also has been published. Cortez earned her bachelor's in English from K-State in 1983, and her master's in English from the University of Wyoming in 1985.
Cortez can be contacted at 785-532-5864 or cortez@k-state.edu.