Celebrating Immigrant Heritage Week: Meet Ulysses Umana, Construction Field Supervisor 

On April 17, 1907, the City of New York recorded its largest-ever immigrant arrivals on Ellis Island. In honor of the significance of this moment, since 2004 the City has set aside a week in April to commemorate Immigrant Heritage Week, celebrating the contributions immigrant New Yorkers like veteran NYCHA employee Ulysses Umana make to the city. 

Mr. Umana was just 12 years old when he emigrated by himself to New York City from San Salvador, El Salvador, in July 1979. His home country was engaged in a civil war at the time and Mr. Umana was the last of his siblings to safely escape to the U.S., where their mother had been living after immigrating in 1970.  

Speaking no English when he arrived in the foreign nation, the young Mr. Umana joined his three older brothers, sister, and mother at their home in the Bronx, with hopes of achieving a better life. Pursuit of the American dream first brought his mother to New York and then compelled her to arrange for her children to make the same journey.  

As a longtime Construction Field Supervisor at NYCHA, Mr. Umana said he is grateful for the sacrifices made by his late mother which enabled him and his siblings to launch successful careers and live fulfilling lives. 

“She took a chance, and her chance actually paid off. We became successful thanks to the chance that she gave all of us,” said Mr. Umana, who has worked at the Authority for 28 years. “Thanks to her, I am who I am.”  

While learning a new language and culture following his immigration, Mr. Umana initially attended public school and later had the opportunity to enroll in a private high school thanks to his soccer skills. After earning a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the New York Institute of Technology, he worked in the private sector for some time before landing his first job with NYCHA in the Research and Policy Department.  

He has since served in multiple positions in several facets of the organization, but his decades at the Authority have been shaped by the same mission: to help provide a better life for public housing residents. Through his role as Construction Field Supervisor in the Asset and Capital Management division, Mr. Umana regularly meets with residents and property managers to discuss the progress of repairs and address any project-related issues. Other responsibilities include overseeing construction project inspectors in the field and monitoring the work of contractors to ensure safety protocols are followed. 

“It’s very fulfilling,” he said. “We’re trying to provide the residents with a better quality of life, and I think we’re doing a very good job at it.” 

Ulysses Umana has served as a Construction Field Supervisor in the Asset and Capital Management division since 2012.

In addition to his daily duties, Mr. Umana serves as a volunteer Change Ambassador, helping to inform the NYCHA community about various programs and initiatives to improve services across the city.  

As one of many immigrants who are part of the NYCHA team, Mr. Umana noted he has found a strong community of support throughout his nearly 30 years at the agency.  

“NYCHA has provided us the opportunity to be able to grow professionally,” said Mr. Umana, who was recently promoted to a new civil service title. “We’ve had the opportunity to assist the residents and also to promote NYCHA’s goals and fulfill them as best as we can.” 

Most of all, Mr. Umana is grateful that his NYCHA career has allowed him to live out the aspirations he had as a young immigrant by helping others experience the same opportunities he was given. 

“I feel that it’s a lifelong fulfillment because helping others is something that I always wanted to do,” he said. “I’m privileged to work here.”  

Along with enjoying a variety of cultural festivities with colleagues, Mr. Umana said he makes sure to honor his heritage and the traditions of his native country, including taking part in El Salvador Independence Day celebrations over the years. During Immigrant Heritage Week, he is proud to know that the contributions and sacrifices of fellow immigrants are brought to the forefront in his adopted city.   

“I think it’s important so that we will not forget where we came from,” he said of the heritage week recognition.