With more than 25 years of experience in helping students succeed in in higher education, Marcos A. Rivera has been named director for student services at the School of Dental Medicine.
About Rivera
After earning both his undergraduate degree in liberal studies with a concentration in sociology (1991) and a master’s degree in counseling (1993) from Bowling Green State University (BGSU), he remained at the university where he held a variety of leadership roles in academic, multicultural and student affairs.
Following his tenure at BGSU, Rivera served in various capacities at Purdue University and Baldwin Wallace University, providing direction to first-year experience initiatives, graduate assistantship placement and strategic efforts to increase degree completion. Prior to joining CWRU, he served as the assistant dean of counseling services at the Western Campus of Cuyahoga Community College, working with a team to provide academic, career and personal counseling, as well as accommodation services, to more than 10,000 students.
Given his depth of experience in all aspects of student affairs and services, Rivera’s expanded role at the dental school will include advocacy for the full-range of student concerns, both inside and outside the classroom. He will work closely with various committees on the academic progress of individual students. As the liaison to the services available to all CWRU students, Rivera intends to make them as accessible as possible to dental students.
“In addition to academic advising and career guidance, I am here to provide personal counseling when needed,” explained Rivera. “My role is also responsible for managing student activities, overseeing dental school organizations, and engaging students with external resources essential to their career goals.”
Originally from San Francisco, Rivera grew up in Lorain and currently lives in Strongsville with his family. His wife, Carmen Castro-Rivera, is the director of Career Services at Baldwin Wallace University. They have three children, two in college and one in high school.