Access for All: How Maria Ortega Removes Barriers for Aggies

Every year, the department of Disability Resources serves more than 6,000 students at Texas A&M and administers over 30,000 tests across its two testing centers. Twenty-five years ago, just 6 cubicles made up the entire testing center space on campus.

This is the version of Disability Resources that Maria Ortega ‘03 remembers when she first joined the office as its sole testing coordinator, assisting students with their exams. Over the next two decades, she would experience every era of the department’s growth, eventually becoming associate director.

A Home in Disability Resources

Originally from Piedras Negras, Mexico, Ortega and her family moved to Bryan-College Station when she was fourteen. Aggieland has been home ever since.

“I started high school as soon as we moved here, and my husband is my high school sweetheart,” she said. “I started at Texas A&M because I wanted to get my undergrad degree while having a full-time job to support it.”

As a non-traditional student, Ortega was looking for a way to balance school and work. That’s when she discovered a receptionist role in Student Life, which allowed her to attend classes as she pursued her bachelor’s in psychology. When a position opened up in the Disability Resources Testing Center, she made the transition to proctor and administer exams for students.

“When I first started, everything was paper-based,” she said. “For example, students would turn in exam schedules, and we would have to type in everything by hand, which would take much longer.”

By the time graduation rolled around, she had fallen in love with the mission of the department, which ultimately led to her decision to stay.

“Disability is a natural part of life, and that’s how the department has always approached its services,” she explained. “Texas A&M does its best to promote access for every student.”

At the same time, there was the added benefit of being able to be a part of an Aggie’s journey as they prepared to set out and do good for others.

“Aggies are a wonderful group of students to work with because of the Core Values, camaraderie and community they represent,” she said.

A Bridge Between Faculty and Students

According to Ortega, there’s never a dull moment in Disability Resources. A core part of her work is administrative, supervising staff members and representing the department on division assessment and risk management committees. However, she still remains directly connected to faculty and students as the designated access coordinator for veterinary medicine and biomedical sciences majors. This is where creativity comes into play, as she advises students on which accommodations they may need for each class.

“I have a caseload of about 300 students, and I act in the middle, meeting with students and faculty about any access challenges,” Ortega said. “For example, I had a vet school student with a hand injury during clinicals, and I met with our liaison in the student’s department to figure out what classes looked like and whether accommodations were necessary.”

This past year, Ortega has been based in the West Campus Testing Center. Housed in the West Campus Library, the division opened the center in fall 2025 with the goal to meet the exponential 68% growth in accommodated exam requests in the last four years. In addition to the increased capacity, Ortega has noticed a more “human” impact on the campus community.

“Not only is this more convenient for students who are based on West Campus, but it’s been really positive to see professors walk in from the Wehner or the Biochemistry and Biophysics Buildings to pick up exams and talk with us.”

As the department has grown — and its impact reaches even further — this type of collaboration to serve the students at Texas A&M is exactly what excites Ortega.

“I saw the testing center grow from a one-person office to realizing we needed a second person, then a third person and more,” she said. “People are what has always driven me, whether it’s staff, students or faculty.”

Get to know Maria Ortega

You’ve been a part of Disability Resources for 25 years. How has the department evolved since you joined?

When I first joined, the department was a program area embedded within Student Life. When we were elevated as our own department, it was a big deal because the number of students who had registered with Disability Resources had increased exponentially. This is partly due to the fact that there’s less stigma associated with having a disability, and just the expansion of the university overall.

I’ve also grown with the department. After I graduated with my bachelor’s, a position opened up as an access coordinator. I was later promoted to assistant director, where I was supervising the Central Campus Testing Center and the staff members there. In between, I also received my master’s degree in counseling from Prairie View A&M University.

Beyond operational responsibilities in the department, you still work with students and faculty. What does that process look like to help students navigate their accommodation requests?

It’s a collaboration between me, students and faculty. The faculty I have worked with are great because they are very willing to accommodate students, and they see us as the experts. At the same time, students come in, sharing their stories and needs. From those meetings with students, I can determine which accommodations are necessary. Occasionally, I meet with faculty members to figure out and coordinate more challenging accommodation requests.

You mentioned how Disability Resources staff are a huge part of what drives your work. Do you have a favorite memory with your colleagues?

I had a student gift me a little figurine of a flamingo back in the day when I was an access coordinator. Next thing I know, I walk into my office, and it’s full of inflatable flamingos and flamingo-themed items like stickers on my stapler. It was everywhere. It was a lighthearted moment that really shows how close-knit the staff is.

Do you have a standout personal Texas A&M memory?

My son currently attends Texas A&M as an architecture major, so it stood out when I attended his new student conference as a parent. Usually, I volunteer for the resource tables to share information with families, and it was special being on the other side and seeing the experience through his eyes.

What advice do you have for students who are hesitant about requesting accommodations they may need?

Like our name implies, think of us as a resource. If you need us for one class during a specific semester, then please reach out. And if you don’t need our services after that, then you don’t have to! We are extremely flexible.

Also, the accommodation process can seem daunting, but we can walk you through the process step-by-step. Most importantly, faculty really want students to be connected with our office because we can help them have access to the resources they need in class.

What do you like to do outside of work and how do you recharge?

I like to spend my time with my family and dogs. Since my entire extended family also lives here, they like to pop in and visit, so you never know who’s going to be at my house. It’s my absolute favorite thing, and I just love when people stop by. I also love sewing, and I’m very much a beginner in crocheting. It’s hard!