One of the newest members of the Adams State Board of Trustees shares the University’s time-honored mission.
“Education is a critical tool for prosperity and change, and Adams State provides equitable access to education for all,” says San Luis Valley native Jonathan N. Marquez. He was appointed to the Board in September 2019, less than 10 years after receiving his degree from Adams State University.
“It is an honor and privilege to serve the Adams State community,” says the 2013 graduate.
While attending Adams State, Marquez was a volunteer firefighter for the City of Alamosa and Alamosa County. He believes Adams State and the surrounding communities are intertwined. “The University plays a large part in the education, culture, and economics of Alamosa and the greater San Luis Valley, and in return, the University receives unprecedented support from the residents and businesses.”
He received his Master of Taxation from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2014. After four years in public accounting, Marquez accepted a position as a senior tax analyst for VMware, a large Silicon Valley-based cloud computing and platform virtualization software company. He was promoted to Tax Manager and Certified Public Accountant in 2020.
“I believe it is important to work towards a future where Adams State is self-sufficient in a financial sense, while maintaining education quality, economic prosperity and minimal financial burden on the students it serves,” Marquez says.
Marquez is confident and optimistic in the direction of Adams State and the leadership of the administration, faculty, staff, and student body. “I am excited to play my part in this journey; to safeguard the integrity and quality of the University and be a good financial steward of the University’s assets.”
On May 4, 1921, the law designating Adams State was signed. Marquez is enthusiastic about the next 100 years. “The University’s founding is a monumental milestone, and there is much to celebrate and look back upon. Our history; past successes, and past failures, should serve as a guiding light as we look forward to the next 100 years and all of the great things to come for Adams State.”
He served as president of the Future Business Leaders of America Phi Beta Lambda Adams State Chapter and represented the School of Business as a senator with the Associated Students and Faculty (student government). Marquez also was active in the free taxation service provided by Adams State accounting students and faculty supported through the Piton Foundation.
Over the past ten months, he has enjoyed the progress and dedication in the development of Adams State’s Purpose and Vision Statements. “I believe it beautifully captures what Adams State is about.”
