Staff and students at LaGuardia Community College celebrated recently after Jose Orengo, executive director of government relations, received an award from the New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Orengo was honored at a ceremony earlier this month as part of Hispanic Heritage Month for the outstanding leadership role he has played within the Hispanic community and for the many contributions he has made to the culture, according to the Chamber’s president, Nick Lugo.
“I am extremely honored to be recognized by such a prestigious organization,” said Orengo, “and to share this award with such humanitarians.”
As LaGuardia’s chief lobbyist, Orengo maintains relationships with elected officials in cities across the nation and represents the college’s interests to those stakeholders.
“We’ve been very fortunate to continue to receive funding,” said Orengo. “I can relate to these kids so much because I also grew up in two different cultures and education was my way out.”
A graduate of Queens College and CUNY Law School, Orengo first became involved with LaGuardia eight years ago, shortly after opening his own law firm.
“The first client I had was the college,” he said. “I met a representative through a friend and she asked me to help start a foundation.” A year later, Orengo was asked to be the head of that foundation, which raises money for scholarships given to students each year.
“Jose’s dedication to LaGuardia and its students is unparalleled,” said Dr. Peter Katopes, Interim President of LaGuardia Community College. “He has worked hard to ensure that the institution receives the government funding it deserves and that the students get the financial support they need to pursue their educational goals.”
In addition to his work in New York, Orengo will be heading to South America at the end of October to help set up a college in Chile, a project that has been four years in the making. Through this program, students will graduate with a dual degree from both the college in Chile and LaGuardia Community College.
“The project in Chile is an excellent opportunity,” said Orengo. “I can honestly say this is the best job I’ve ever had.”
