Karina Judith Ortega

University of North Texas at Dallas

I endorse Karina Judith Ortega for the Newman Civic Fellowship. Ms. Ortega attends UNT Dallas as a Presidential Jaguar Scholar, the highest award a first year student can attain. UNT Dallas is the only four-year public university within the City of Dallas. It is a Hispanic and Minority serving institution. I nominate Ms. Ortega because she embodies the caring purpose of this university. Dallas is divided by a prosperous North and a poorer South. Ms. Ortega is committed to improving quality of life in southern Dallas. One of her passions is as an animal activist. Here's why that matters in southern Dallas. About 350,000 dogs live in Dallas, but only the South has a runaway stray dog problem because only 15% of its 153,000 dogs are spayed and neutered (compared to 80% in the North). Ms. Ortega has been active in civic efforts to dramatically reduce the estimated 8700 loose dogs that roam southern Dallas on a given day. I am proud of her commitment. I also want to assure the selection committee that, as President, I will fully support Ms. Ortega as a mentor and as a funder should she be fortunate enough to be selected as a fellow.

Robert Mong
President
University of North Texas at Dallas

Personal Statement

When I was younger, my dog China passed away from Parvovirus because my family was unable to pay for her medical care. At the time I was unable to do anything that could have changed the circumstances. Because of my inability to change things then, I am now an animal activist and student pursuing a Human Service Management & Leadership degree at the University of North Texas at Dallas. I volunteer with Dallas Pets Alive, a local non-profit that provides animals with a home, nutrition, and medical care. I have helped the Positive Alternative to Shelter Surrender program save hundreds of dogs and cats from being euthanized, which has led to the Dallas Animal Services site to transition into becoming a no kill shelter. I also raise awareness about the stray animal problem in Southern Dallas, and with the help of a local City Councilman I am currently developing the plans for an ordinance that requires residents to spay/neuter their pets to prevent more animals from living on the streets. On campus, I began the Finding Right & Natural Destinations organization, and I am currently arranging for a mobile vet clinic to visit campus monthly to offer low cost vaccines and spay/neutering for the animal residents in South Dallas. China's illness influenced my life so that I now make a difference as an animal activist to impact my community.

Karina Judith Ortega
Human Services Management and Leadership: Class of May 2019
written 2017

2017 Fellows Alphabetical by Institution

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Erica Cherian, UNC Charlotte Morgan Sweere, University of Central Arkansas Andrew Aboujaoude, University of Central Florida Jaylon Thomas, University of Central Oklahoma Akshayaa Chittibabu, University of Connecticut Marie Spence, University of Denver Nicolette Duong, University of Florida Bobbie Alcanzo, University of Great Falls Eisha Khan, University of Houston-Downtown Alexis Smyser, University of Illinois at Chicago Rudy Amaya, University of La Verne Duane Belanger, University of Maine at Fort Kent Karla Casique, University of Maryland Axel Bayingana, University of Maryland Eastern Shore Sophia Lopresti, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Andrew King, University of Massachusetts Boston Callie Nunez, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Luiza Kinzerska-Martinez, University of Miami Nadine Jawad, University of Michigan Zachary Hayes, University of Michigan - Flint Gemechu Mekonnen, University of Minnesota Madison Bick, University of Missouri - St. Louis Isabel Langlois, University of Montana Shayla McGregor, University of Montana Western Sophie Ramsey, University of Mount Union Jimmy Nguyen, University of Nebraska at Omaha Shannon Bodeau, University of North Carolina Asheville Cristian Ramos, University of North Georgia Karina Judith Ortega, University of North Texas at Dallas Melanie Majeed, University of Northern Iowa Sarah Tomas Morgan, University of Notre Dame Anea Moore, University of Pennsylvania Hashaam Jamil, University of Pittsburgh Wila Matos, University of Rhode Island Edgar Chavarria, University of San Diego Emery Smith, University of South Carolina Isaac Miles, University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) Corinne Tucker, University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee Richard Lee, University of Utah Rena Newman, University of Wisconsin - Madison Bianca Ruffolo, University of Wisconsin - Parkside Joanna (Jo) Niswonger, University of Wisconsin Colleges Yessenia Santamaria, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
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