Martina Ortouste (she/her) is a PhD student in the Positive Organizational Psychology program with a research interest on employee work-life balance and diversity in the workplace for women of color. This interest stems from 9 years of customer service and managerial experience, 3 years of research experience and participation in her previous workplace’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council.
She was born and raised in Cebu, Philippines and migrated to the U.S. in 2013 – ever since then, she has loved living in Southern California. She received her bachelor’s degree in California State University – Channel Islands (CSUCI) and did post-baccalaureate research there as well. Throughout her undergraduate and post-bacc career, she worked with Oxnard Performing Arts Center, presented to the Oxnard City Council, worked on CSUCI’s Student Campus Climate Survey, presented her research in multiple conferences, and co-authored a published article in the Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, A Systematic Review of Campus Climate Assessments at Institutions of Higher Education.
Martina believes that everyone has a purpose in the world and deserve to feel like they belong. This is why she strives to make a positive impact on her peers with her role as Graduate Assistant in the Student Life, Diversity & Leadership office. She also trusts CGU to help her achieve her goal of having a career in academia as a professor.
In her free time, Martina enjoys watching movies, visiting museums, shopping/thrifting, and spending time with her friends and family.