Mark A. Cortez has served in higher education for ten years and currently serves as the Director of Outreach and Recruitment within Undergraduate Admissions at The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH. In this role he provides leadership, strategic development and direction, guidance, and support for a team of 30 professional staff members. Mark is a member of the Strengthening Ohio’s High School Math Pathways Advisory Council. The council, formed in October 2019, is a representative group of stakeholders focused on equity, communication, and the supports surrounding the systems and structures that are needed to implement new pathways that include Algebra 2 equivalent courses. Prior to his current role, Mark served as the Director for Articulation and Transfer Policy with the Ohio Department of Higher Education.