Patrick Oray

BOARD president

LITERATURE FACULTY, BARD HIGH SCHOOL EARLY COLLEGE BALTIMORE

Patrick Oray, Ph.D. is Faculty in Literature at Bard High School Early College in Baltimore where he teaches the ninth grade Literature of the Americas and the First Year Seminar courses, as well as a college elective in Social Justice and Civic Engagement.

A native of Chicago, IL, Dr. Oray moved to Baltimore in 2014 from Iowa City, IA where he completed his M.A. and Ph.D. in American Studies at the University of Iowa, with concentratrations in critical race theory, immigration, and media studies. In addition to his doctoral studies, Dr. Oray was also president and bargaining-at-large member of United Electrical Radio and Machine Workers of America Local 896/COGS (Campaign to Organize Graduate Students) and wrote for the independent news and culture magazine Little Village.

Dr. Oray's work with non-profits began after graduating with a B.A. in English from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign as an Americorps Volunteer in Service to America, during which he spent two years working with the Champaign County Health Care Consumers, a health care consumer rights organization. He then spent two years as program coordinator of the University YMCA at the University of Illinois. These experiences working for social change were formative moments that continue to guide Dr. Oray's efforts as an educator and citizen, and will shape his effort as a member of the WAYM board.