Lumberjack Spotlight: Mark Montoya
He dazzled you at NAU Orientation with his sage advice and tips for success.
Here’s a little bit more about Professor T. Mark Montoya (Ethnic Studies)
- Hometown: Portales, New Mexico
- Blue or gold: Gold
- Flagstaff summer or winter: Summer
- Spring or fall: Fall
- When did you come to NAU and why?: Memorial Day Weekend of 2000. I came for the PhD Program in Political Science.
- Favorite spot on campus: North-North Quad, Central-Union, South-Joel Olson Memorial Garden
- Best place on campus to grab a bite to eat: The Wedge
- Favorite picture on your phone: My wife Katy sitting by some flowers
- Best piece of advice you’ve ever received: “Education is uncomfortable!” -Dr. Joel Olson
- Tip every Lumberjack should know:
Ask for help. Getting help should not be and is not a stigma. Acknowledge that you need help, because asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of strength!
- What do you want your students to walk away with from your class?: To learn lots and to love lots.
- You might not know this about me: I used to play the trumpet, I’m practicing playing the ukulele, but I usually just play the fool.
- My favorite thing about working at NAU?: The folks who share a classroom with me. Some people call them students, but I think of them as teachers and collaborators.
- Describe your typical day on campus: Class, thinking about writing, class, thinking about writing, meeting, emails, thinking about writing, meeting, social media.
- On the weekends you can find me: In downtown Flagstaff eating.
