Oscar Lujan
Oscar Lujan’s involvement with the University of Arizona started when he was hired by the institution’s postal services department.
Forty-five years ago, he worked the position as a “means to an end” job to support his family while taking classes a few units at a time. A decade later, he began serving as the executive director of the UA Hispanic Alumni organization. During his tenure overseeing UAHA, Lujan also became the program coordinator for the Arizona Alumni Association’s alumni multicultural clubs, including the Asian American Faculty Staff Alumni, American Indian Alumni and UA Black Alumni.
While serving as the director of UAHA, Lujan organized the club’s fundraising, events, and mentoring and student retention program. He also oversaw UAHA’s scholarship endowment program, valued at more than $1.2 million — the largest scholarship endowment program of its kind among public universities. Before he became the executive director, Lujan was an active and loyal member of UAHA, serving as corresponding secretary as well as a mentor and orientation leader for the club’s scholarship and mentoring programs.
Working directly with students, Lujan spearheaded the Juntos Podemos Mentoring Program in collaboration with the university’s Chicano/Hispano Student Affairs Office. The program mentors educationally and economically disadvantaged nursing students to promote their academic success.
Lujan continually works to enhance opportunities for UArizona students’ development and success. He is a co-advisor for Gamma Omega sorority and Sigma Lambda Beta fraternity, both Latino service organizations. In 2000, Sigma Lambda Beta honored him as Latino of the Year in recognition of his service.
Lujan’s community service also extends beyond the UArizona campus. He assists Los Universitarios, a group of Mexican American alumni who graduated in the 1950s, and is the chair of the Pueblo High School Class of 1975 50th Reunion Committee.
A native Tucsonan, Lujan holds a bachelor’s degree in political science. He is most proud of his son, Michael Lujan, and daughter, Elizabeth Lujan Villanes, and his three grandchildren.