It’s a big privilege to exist in this work daily and it’s what differentiates Northwestern from other higher education places.”
Carlos Octavio Ballinas
Business Administrator, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, Council for Race and Ethnic Studies
Having dedicated his professional journey to higher education, Carlos Octavio Ballinas possesses a unique perspective on what truly sets Northwestern apart from other institutions. As a self-described “product of Chicago,” born and raised in the city, Carlos values Northwestern as “a place to work with highly brilliant and creative members from the Chicagoland community” he might not have met otherwise.
In his role as Business Administrator for the Council for Race and Ethnic Studies, Carlos thrives at the intersection of students, faculty and staff, taking great pride in witnessing the transformative journeys of students, especially students from the Chicago area. “My position allows me to be present in intellectual spaces, I’m privy to how things become alive at a university,” Carlos says. “It’s a big privilege to exist in this work daily and it’s what differentiates Northwestern from other higher education places.”
As a life-long learner, Carlos embarked on yet another role as a student, earning his doctoral degree in 2023 thanks to Northwestern support: “NU has a lot of resources, professionally and personally, and allows one to gain a perspective from different people.”