Remembering Wright College Humboldt Park Dean Maria Ochoa-Alvarez

By: Reanna Sturgill

Wright College’s Humboldt Park Dean, Maria Ochoa-Alvarez, passed away from a challenging battle with cancer on March 17, 2025. Born on Feb. 16, 1978, Dean Ochoa spent 22 years in the service of higher education.

Wright’s President Andres Oroz worked with Dean Ochoa for a short period of time but says it has been “wonderful to get to know her personally and her personal story, and her struggles as a latina in higher education.”

Oroz met Dean Ochoa while she was on the search committee for Wright College president. After Oroz became president, Dean Ochoa reported directly to him. Oroz said “She was working diligently in building relationships with the community in Humboldt Park.” 

During her time at Wright, she oversaw the administrative aspects of the Humboldt Park campus. She also worked with the community to get services to students.

With her background in adult education, Oroz said that “she knew the transitional struggles our adult students had. She was really passionate about working and supporting students.”

In her personal life, Dean Ochoa was outgoing and wore a big smile and brightly colored glasses. She loved plants, reading, traveling, and taking pictures. 

(Maria Ochoa-Alvarez and Yeisha Betancourt-Ruiz matching blazers at a conference. Photo credits: Yeisha Betancourt-Ruiz)

Wright Humboldt Park Interim Dean Yeisha Betancourt-Ruiz said that one time Dean Ochoa shared a silly picture of her with their team on LinkedIn.

Dean Ochoa’s administrative assistant and friend, Gizenia Garcia said that, “She never burdened others with her own struggles and never diminished anyone’s pain by adding her own.  Instead, she quietly carried her hardships while lifting up everyone around her.”

Betancourt-Ruiz reminisced over a plant that Dean Ochoa gifted her when her step-father died. Betancourt-Ruiz said Dean Ochoa would give everyone a plant when they lost someone. “Almost all of us have a plant that was given by her… We all kind of have a piece of her through that.”

As interim dean, Betancourt-Ruiz is in meetings all day, “And just the other day, I was like I need to get more steps in and stand up more. Then I remembered, this is why Maria did walking meetings! And I am so going to implement that into my day.” Dean Ochoa loved to have walking meetings. 

Garcia said that Dean Ochoa was a powerful advocate for women and marginalized groups. She “inspired everyone she met through her kindness, strength, and unwavering support.” 

“Her spirit, generosity, multicultural wisdom, and quiet strength left a lasting mark on everyone she touched. I will always cherish the bond we shared” said Garcia.

Oroz said that over the past weeks, “it’s really nice to hear our staff, students, and community members– how her work impacted them and their ability to be successful as students and as professionals.”