City Council Candidate Profile: Roxanne Ornelas

Editor’s Note: The Oxford Free Press is publishing one City Council Candidate Profile per week until polls open. All candidates were contacted for an interview and asked similar questions. Each profile highlights experience, policy and goals for the Oxford community. 

Roxanne Ornelas was born in San Diego, California, and at a very young age, was surrounded by water. 

“I’ve always been really tied, spiritually, emotionally and physically, to the water,” she said.

Some of her first activism was done to protect natural waters and the creatures that lived in them. 

“I was actually part of the first whale festival,” she said. “It happened there to raise awareness and to educate the public about whales that migrate along the coast of California.”

From protecting whales in California to advocating for Oxford’s watershed, Roxanne Ornelas said she has spent her life fighting for water and the communities connected to it.

Ornelas obtained a bachelors of science in criminal justice administration, master’s in public administration and a PhD in geography with an emphasis in indigenous peoples, human rights, environmental justice and governance. 

Ornelas has worked with a vast variety of local, state and federal government agencies across her career, which she said has helped her realize her potential as a city councilor candidate.

“I know how to, sort of, dig in the weeds,” she said, “and get in there and do the work.”

Her experience has taught her the importance of compromise.

“It sometimes can take a lot of time, attention and transparency,” she said. “It also reflects the importance of public participation in that work.”

Ornelas has worked on a variety of projects at all levels of government and community, including to protect a species in Colorado that faced extinction and on a declaration passed by The United Nations to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency.

She said her efforts taught her the importance of hands-on experience when attempting to enact change in a community. 

“I can study environmental policy and study science and know what is going on within a habitat,” she said. “But to actually see it and to work with the people in that way is an experience that I bring with me in my life.”

Ornelas highlighted the uniqueness of her life experience, and how it qualifies her to run for city council. 

“I understand and know how things are connected,” she said. “Especially here, we look at development of growth within our city, being aware of certain matters, like, say, sustainability, how is managed growth going to work within the miles we have.”

Around 15 years ago, Ornelas moved to Oxford to start a job at Miami University in the department of geography, where she taught a variety of courses – from Native American women to indigenous peoples and their sacred lands.  

“This is the place for me,” she said.

Ornelas first was drawn to Oxford by Miami and the students and faculty she spent her days around, but found further happiness in town itself.

One of her main agenda items is the health of Oxford’s watershed. She said she aims to raise awareness and educate people about protecting water as well as the importance of it in Oxford’s community. 

Ornelas added that Oxford is already doing great things for the community, and she wants to strengthen the council with her experience, perspective and education.

There’s some really good things happening in our town,” she said. “I hope to be a voice of influence based on my practical experience and education.”

Ornelas also said she believes that community outreach is another important part of being a city councilor. 

“I want to hear from everyone,” Ornelas said.

She said she intends to hold office hours in the future to allow for the public to meet with her and share their thoughts and ideas for the city.

“I represent all the people and [am] for the people,” Ornelas said. “That’s what I am here to do.”

Ornelas summarized her goals and mission for Oxford:

“Not only will I do the work, but I will do it 110%,” she said. “I’m committed to do whatever I can to continue to make the City of Oxford the place we all want it to be, not just for today, but for those who will come seven generations from today.”