Jeff Orgera, Ph.D.

Assistant Vice Chancellor, Student Retention and Success

What is your backstory?

I was raised in a large Italian-American family in Stamford, CT.  My older brother and I grew up spending a lot of time with our cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents during holidays, Sunday dinners, and other family milestones.  My parents met in their first year of college as commuter students and left college when they decided to get married.  My Dad is good with numbers and to this day works as an accountant.  I remember he was out of work when I was going off to college so he made ends meet by working for a street paving company and as a limousine driver.  My Mom worked as a receptionist in a doctor’s office and then in a senior center.  My parents instilled in me a strong work ethic, appreciation and respect for family, and doing the right thing even when no one is looking. 

What motivated you to go to college?

The reason I went to college was because I saw many of my peers pursuing the goal of a college degree.  College was not something that I had set might sights on or was it talked about when I was growing up.  My older brother was the only person I knew who was going to college and he was attending a local branch campus part time while living at home.  I was fortunate to have a few friends who helped me understand the basics of the process but it was really a last minute and poorly planned decision.  I applied to large state schools without much knowledge of admission criteria and did not have many options.  By sheer luck I learned about a small liberal arts school that was a former teachers college and I was offered admission to study psychology.

What would you tell your freshman self?

College is a place and time to build your future, become a better person, gain new skills, and take risks.  It is important to get involved in activities that are not familiar or within your comfort zone.  Strive for a balance between socializing, academics, and getting involved.       

How has your background helped your career?

Strong unconditional support from my family has been critical throughout my educational journey.  While they missed having me around they respected the commitment I made to my educational and professional goals. The work ethic instilled in me by my parents has really been foundation for my achievements in career, life, and faith.  I see my life as an ongoing process of development and consider myself a lifelong grinder who persistently pursues audacious goals no matter how far out of reach they may appear. 

What was the best part of your college experience?

The best part of my experience was gaining confidence in my academic skills.  I wasn’t the most dedicated student coming out of high school and I learned that with genuine effort my contributions were of value to my peers and faculty.  My confidence as a student was launched thanks to a cultural anthropology professor who wrote a comment on a paper that said, “you should consider graduate school.” It was the first time anyone suggested that I could become part of the academic community and I never looked back.