Faculty
Universidad de Costa Rica
Grecia, Alajuela, Costa Rica
Dr. Grettel M. Arias Orozco is an educator, researcher, and advocate, who holds a Ph.D. in Educational Research Methodology with a concentration in program evaluation. As a dedicated faculty member at the Universidad de Costa Rica in the Department of Primary Education, she shapes the next generation of educators through her expertise in research methodology and language pedagogy. Dr. Arias Orozco is committed to fostering meaningful instruction from the lenses of critical pedagogy and constructivism, utilizing authentic and practical activities to equip her students with the essential knowledge, skills, and values for their future roles as classroom educators.
Dr. Arias Orozco seized the opportunity provided by Fulbright-Laspau and the Universidad de Costa Rica to pursue advanced studies in the southeastern United States in 2017. This transformative experience led her to earn her Ph.D. and broaden her perspective on cultural identity, representation, and program evaluation. As a Latina in the USA, she grappled with the complexities of cultural identity and faced the feelings of being an outsider and a stranger in a different environment.
Guided by mentors and peers, including Ayesha Boyce, Aileen Reid, Cherie Avent, Tiffany Smith, Gabriela García, Leah Neubauer, and Sandra Ayoo, Dr. Arias Orozco reconciled her sense of otherness and found her unique voice within the evaluation field. She recognized the value of her diverse background and experiences in understanding the nuances of evaluation. However, she also observed the lack of representation from similar backgrounds in academia and the professional realm of evaluation.
Dr. Arias Orozco firmly believes that addressing this underrepresentation is crucial for a more inclusive and equitable field. Her mission extends beyond the classroom as she advocates for amplifying underrepresented voices and promoting diversity in evaluation and educational research practice.
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Wednesday, October 11, 2023
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM ET