“I wanted to learn more about my Hawaiian identity so I enrolled as an undergrad at the University of Hawaii at Manoa… while there I became privy to the historical traumas of colonization and how that manifests in modern times for Indigenous peoples. It was then that I felt compelled to support these populations—now I hope to help Indigenous students (among others) from the perspective of the library.”

Marcus Ortiz, ‘24, MLIS
Washington, D.C. 

Marcus Ortiz is one of the first four recipients of the Bridging Knowledge MLIS Scholarship to graduate from SJSU this past May. The scholarship provides financial and professional support to fifteen American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students seeking to earn a MLIS at SJSU. Recipients receive tuition help, mentors, peer support, opportunities to engage with Indigenous scholars in the field, and the chance to attend conferences.

Marcus is originally from the Los Angeles area. He completed his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he focused on Hawaiian Studies. After graduation, he met his spouse, an active-duty military member, and they were assigned to a base in Germany. Initially, Marcus had been working in archives and museums.  However, he found his calling for libraries while in Germany.

“Job opportunities for military spouses overseas were pretty sparse, but upon our arrival I went to the library because it seemed fitting considering my professional background. I started volunteering and eventually worked my way into a full-time position. I began developing programs in service for LGBTQ+ military members and helped build a community for this population. I enjoyed this work and wanted to continue to build on this after we moved back to the States. Especially in the wake of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation occurring nationwide, I think it’s important to support these communities.”

Choosing the iSchool

Like many students, Marcus chose SJSU because of its convenience, programming and curriculum.

“I chose SJSU because I needed an online program (as I was working full-time), but I also appreciated the number of electives made available to students. As I searched for the right program, few offered courses related to Indigenous librarianship and serving LGBTQ+ populations. Ultimately, the course offerings were the deciding factor for me.”

While Marcus enjoyed many classes at SJSU, a few really stood out as impactful to his career. 

“Indigenous Cultural Institutions and Practices of Librarianship with Dr. Gosart and LGBTIQ Resources and Services with Lisa Houde. Both courses spoke directly to my professional work and gave me several resources that I use in my practice.”

Current and Future Goals 

Currently, Marcus lives just outside of Washington, D.C. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his spouse and Australian Shepard/Blue Heeler pup, playing video games, watching movies and traveling.

However, even though he only graduated a few months ago, he already has solid and impressive plans for the future. Having served multiple communities in different libraries, he now wants to turn his attention to the role of a Student Success Librarian, who typically engage with “undergrad, first-gen, transfer students and other historically marginalized groups through strategic initiatives.” These librarians assist students in using the library’s services and help to build relationships with campus organizations and student groups.

“The library is a conduit for information, so I see this position as an extension of the library ensuring its resources reach their intended populations. This is important because research tells us that students don’t always come to the library so this role helps promote the library’s offerings.”

To achieve this goal, Marcus is currently preparing for his new role as one of the inaugural fellows under the Fisher Family Library Fellowship for Inclusive Excellence Program with the University of Maryland.

“This fellowship will acquaint me with academic librarianship while having the opportunity to explore different programmatic and functional areas. The library plays an important role in student success, and I plan on helping build campus-wide initiatives that bring the library to the students through outreach, teaching co-curricular courses, and serving as a subject liaison for various departments. I am very excited about this new role and am looking forward to continuing to build my network.”

Additionally, he is starting his second master’s this fall through Arizona State University in the Indigenous Education MA online program, which “explores Indigenous education and policy, and the process of schooling from both Western and Indigenous perspectives.”

Once he completes this program Marcus intends to pursue a PhD in Information Studies, something he never saw himself doing before. However, through his time at SJSU, he began to understand the impact his classes had on his professional practice.

“As I continued to see how the “theory” and “practice” intertwined, I too wanted to begin facilitating my own research at a higher level to support professionals in the field. Also, I recognize the small (but growing) number of Indigenous people with PhDs and want to be a part of growing this community. We always hear about how much representation matters because to a degree it affects how we navigate this life. And as I navigate the academy, I want Indigenous folk to know there is a place for them in this space, if they choose to be here.”

Advice for Students

Marcus has the following advice for iSchool students as they move through their program: 

“Remember to give yourself grace as you  progress through the program. Between work, class and life, things can feel overwhelming quickly, but allow yourself to catch your breath and take it one thing at a time. Time management will be key to finishing the program and allowing yourself to enjoy it all while maintaining a personal life!”