(Education) Maritza Tirú has served as the Director of Career Services at Naugatuck Community College since 1987. In addition to teaching ESL courses, she established the ESL program at NVCC in 1989.  Maritza received a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Connecticut; her Bachelor’s of Science degree from Springfield College and her Associate’s Degree from Catholic University in Puerto Rico.

In April 1997, Maritza was appointed to serve a two year term on The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, Connecticut Advisory Committee by former Chairperson, Mary Frances Berry.  This committee was authorized to study and collect information concerning legal developments constituting discrimination or a denial of equal protection of the laws under the Constitution because of race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap, or national origin, or in the administration of justice and submit the reports, findings, and recommendations to the President and Congress of United States. This post provided Maritza an opportunity to coordinate “The 1997 Civil Rights Leadership Conference” in Waterbury regarding “The Effects of Fair Housing on School Segregation, Civil Rights Enforcement in Employment and Police Misconduct.” This was an invaluable service to the community at large.

Maritza has received myriad awards for her work as an educator, including recognition of her leadership from Southern Connecticut State University's “Women’s Studies Program” Connecticut Latinas in Leadership Award. She was honored for her “dedication to bridging racial and ethnic divides through education and community activism.”

She has been involved for years in events seeking to raise funds for Latino Scholarships.  From 2002-2004, Maritza served on the Ronald McDonald House Charities/HACER Scholarship selection committee. She has also been honored for her outstanding work in and for the Waterbury community at large. 

In 1997, Maritza was elected Chapter President to the Congress of Connecticut Community Colleges for Naugatuck Valley Community College. She increased the membership participation through vocal advocacy for the rights of the chapter’s members and the students whom they serve. 

Maritza has been involved in many local organizations, including The Chamber of Commerce-Economic Development Committee, Waterbury Leadership Program, Community Vision for

Waterbury, Vice Chair of the Educational Task Force, Literacy Volunteers of America Waterbury Chapter, Mayor’s Task Force Against Drugs, Urban Initiatives Roundtable, Department of

Social Services - Employment Coalition Committee, Spanish Action Council-Past President

1992-1994, School Based Health Center Planning Committee, American Red Cross,

Waterbury PRIDE, N.A.A.C.P., Connecticut Trails Council of Girls Scouts, Get Them Off

Program (GTOP), Minority Empowerment Coalition, Vice President, U-Conn Advisory Board, Waterbury Area Services Team, The Displaced Homemaker Program Advisory Board, The

Youth Advocacy Association of Greater Waterbury, Peer Review Committee of the Strategic

 Plan to Ensure Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Connecticut Higher Education, and Department

of Mental Retardation-Advisory and Planning Council Board.

Maritza and her husband, Roman, have lived in Waterbury since 1978. They have three sons; Roman Jr., Eddie Omar and Romney Estefan.

She has served on the board of the Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission for the last twelve years and in 2005 she was reappointed by Governor M. Jodi Rell.