Native Indigenous Initiatives Consultant 2025

Message from David:

Dear Pitzer College Community, Tribal Partners, and Supporters, 

My name is David Joseph Montoya III, and I am honored to introduce myself as I begin working alongside Pitzer College on its Native American Initiative, a visionary effort to strengthen relationships with local tribal communities and organizations, collaborate with Pitzer Staff and faculty, and support the academic pathways of Native American students both currently on campus and those who may one day call Pitzer home. 

I am an enrolled member of the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo in northern New Mexico. My educational path has been deeply rooted in service to Native communities- I am a proud graduate of UCLA School of Law, where I specialized in Federal Indian Law, and I also hold a Master's degree in American Indian studies. Over the years, I've had the privilege of working with tribal nations, educational institutions, and community-based organizations across California to support and expend Native educational access, self-determination, and cultural revitalization. 

My work with Pitzer College is rounded in a shared commitment: to foster authentic and reciprocal relationships between the College and the diverse tribal communities of Southern California and the greater Los Angeles area. This includes elevating Native voices within academic and campus life, ensuring Indigenous students, employees, and community members feel seen, supported, and celebrated, and collaborating with local tribal organizations on initiatives that matter to their communities- now and for generations to come. 

This is not just about programs or policies, it is about long-term, sustainable relationships, built on mutual respect, cultural understanding, and shared responsibility. My approach is guided by listening first and working together in spirit of partnership. Whether you are a student, staff or faculty member, campus leader, or community partner, I hope to meet with many of you in the weeks and months ahead, to learn from your experiences and to collaborate on ways we can continue to make meaningful progress together. 

Thank you for welcoming me to this community. I am deeply excited about what we will build- together.

Warm regards, 

David Joseph Montoya III

David Joseph Montoya III

Pitzer College has engaged David Joseph Montoya III as our Native Initiatives Consultant to assist us in assessing the structure and nature of Pitzer's academic programming related to Native and Indigenous peoples. This year, David will be collecting and synthesizing information with the goal of developing actionable recommendations for future work within Academic Affairs. You can reach David via email at dave.montoya3@outlook.com.