After 20 years of service at Shippensburg University, José Ricardo-Osorio is preparing for a new chapter. 

As the semester comes to a close, so does Ricardo’s time at Shippensburg. Beginning in June, he will serve as dean of the College of Public Service at the University of Houston–Downtown.

Ricardo, by his own admission, is a well-known face around campus. Whether it be from attending one of his classes or his iconic salsa dancing, most of the Shippensburg community has heard his name. 

Ricardo has had an eventful and professionally diverse time during his tenure at SU. He started out as an assistant professor. Six years later, Ricardo was elected chair of the Department of Global Languages and Cultures. He continued in this position for nine years.

In 2013, Ricardo took on the role of interim associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. After holding this position for a year, he returned to his role as department chair until 2019.

Ricardo was then invited to join the College of Education and Human Services as interim associate dean. He refers to the beginning of this position as a “christening by fire,” as the COVID-19 pandemic started shortly after he began. Ricardo helped the college enact necessary changes to adjust to online classes.

After two years, Ricardo returned to teaching. However, this would be short-lived, as just one semester later he took on the role of acting dean of the College of Education and Human Services. Ricardo maintained this position for two years, and he is currently an associate professor.

Ricardo values his experience as both a professor and administrator. He explained the difference between the two roles by comparing it to being a painter versus a viewer in a gallery.

“You have a picture, a painting, and you see the painting as the artist... and as someone visiting the gallery,” Ricardo said. “When I was here as professor... I was the one creating the painting, putting together the syllabus, putting together lessons.”

“When I went to be the dean, I was the person viewing the painting in the gallery, being more critical of what’s happening. The student would be the painting, the college experience of the student. We teachers create it... But then, as an administrator, I also realize that I should be a part of the painting.”

Ricardo prides himself on his constant evolution in teaching methods. He said he has become far more student-centered since he started teaching in 1987. He takes student feedback very seriously and ultimately sets up his classes to best prepare his students for success.

“I tell them, if you have a head attached to your body through a neck, you can do this. Sleepy Hollow may not be able to do this because there’s no head. I see a head, I see a neck, it’s doable,” Ricardo said. 

He has accomplished many things during his time at SU. One of his highlights was changing the name of the Global Languages and Cultures program. It used to be called Modern Languages, which was confusing to students, due to Shippensburg not having a Classic Languages program. Another accomplishment was adding other languages, such as Chinese and American Sign Language. Getting the program accredited three times was another accomplishement.

Ricardo has seen Ship change and grow during his time here. He has seen the campus expand, inclduing the construction of Rowland Hall, Luhrs Performing Arts Center, the Milton and Doreen Morgan School of Engineering, and various residence halls. He also commented on the population size of the SU community. 

“We have seen the campus grow in terms of facilities but we have seen the campus shrink in terms of people,” said Ricardo. 

He will miss many things about the Shippensburg community: his colleagues, his students and the unique charm of the Shippensburg township. However, he is looking forward to the change of living in a large city, which the University of Houston–Downtown will bring.

He is particularly looking forward to working in an area with a Colombian community, as he himself is Colombian. The University of Houston–Downtown is also a Hispanic-Serving Institution, which Ricardo is excited about.

“Now, I’m going to work with a population that looks like me, has a similar background to me. They speak Spanish or are bilingual. It is a way to close the loop,” Ricardo said. 

He plans on continuing to teach salsa dancing at the University of Houston-Downtown so he can connect with the student body. 

Ricardo has big goals for the University of Houston–Downtown’s College of Public Service. His primary goals are to increase enrollment and endowments. He hopes to increase enrollment by 10 to 15 percent, as well as raise the college’s endowment to $3 million within five years.

He also wants to “position the college within the context of the other colleges of the same nature from other universities.” Moreover, he hopes to create more partnerships, both nationally and internationally, with other universities. Ricardo is considering using his connections at Shippensburg University to accomplish this. 

Ricardo has been a beloved part of the Shippensburg community for many years. While he will be missed, it is clear that he is ready to share his talents and expertise with another very lucky university.

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