50 Making a Difference profile: Cindy Ross

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Dr. Cindy Ross began her career in education as an administrative assistant in the office of the vice president for academic affairs at Oklahoma State University. Twelve years later, she had climbed to the position of director of academic affairs at OSU and had three degrees under her belt. She later went on to work with the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education as associate vice chancellor and then as executive vice chancellor for academic affairs before accepting her current position as president of Cameron University in 2002.

Through Ross’ leadership, the Lawton university has experienced historic levels of enrollment growth, completed $55 million in construction projects and for the first time has achieved unconditional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, the regional accrediting agency for all Oklahoma colleges and universities as well as other states.

Ross is active with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, Council of Presidents and Oklahoma Homeland Security Regional Advisory Council-Region 3. She has also been a member of the Oklahoma Distance Learning Association, Association for the Study of Higher Education, American Association for Higher Education and the National Association of Women Deans and Administrators, just to name a few.

“My professional passion is education. My personal passion is the military,” said Ross, who takes pride in being involved in organizations that directly affect active-duty military members and their families as well as veterans. Ross serves on the Operation Homefront Oklahoma Board of Advisors and is active with the Association of the U.S. Army and the military support organization Cannon Cockers. Her efforts have earned her induction as a civilian into the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara, an honor usually reserved for active-duty officers. In addition, Ross serves on the boards of the Women’s Foundation of Oklahoma, BancFirst, Duncan Area Development Foundation, Lawton Salvation Army and The State Chamber.

Ross, who earned her bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees in education from OSU, was inducted into the OSU College of Education Hall of Fame in 2005. Earlier this year, she became a member of the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame. Her additional honors include being named Alumni of the Year at Medford High School and a Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award recipient, as well as receiving special recognition from the Oklahoma Academic Advising Association.

Ross said her grandmother, Maurine Thornhill, was the most influential woman in her life. Because of their mother’s chronic illnesses, Ross’ grandmother played a pivotal role in raising Ross and her sisters. “Grandma gave me the gifts of love, acceptance, compassion, integrity and self-esteem,” Ross said. Those traits she has been able to pass along to her own children, Garrett and Jordan.

Ross said she did inherit a strong work ethic from her dad.

“Work is challenging and rewarding,” she said. “Work has gotten me through more than one personal crisis. The bottom line for me: Work is fun.”