Andy Garcia Ortiz is a first-generation transfer student from Heartland Community College (HCC) with a passion for digital storytelling. She’s beginning a new chapter at Illinois State University this fall where she will study Creative Technologies.
“I’ve always been very creative ever since I was a kid,” Garcia said. “We had a little camera, and I would make my own movies, my own plays, or stories.”
Originally from Mexico City, Garcia’s family immigrated to Bloomington in 2013. When she first arrived in Illinois, she didn’t speak English fluently. Still, she loved to watch movies—even if she couldn’t understand all the dialogue.
“I’m a visual learner,” Garcia said. “Even if I didn’t understand what the movies were talking about, you can narrate a story just through the visuals.”
Last month, Garcia became a U.S. citizen. And, in two years, she will become the first in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree. Garcia enrolled in Illinois State’s Creative Technologies because she believes it will prepare her for a “dream job” with a major media production company.
“Creative Technologies is such a complete major,” Garcia said. “It has videography, graphic design, web design, and animation. So, that’s the path I’m taking so far.”
During her senior year at Bloomington High School, Garcia joined the Bloomington Area Career Center (BCAA), which offers courses to help students determine what types of careers they would like to pursue.
“I was in the Graphic Design and Video Production class, and I loved it,” Garcia said. “It’s finally what I wanted to do—edit videos and design anything like T-shirts or logos. It was really cool.”
As a first-generation college student, Garcia said she’s become a more resourceful person.
“I had to go out there and look for the resources myself,” Garcia said. “It’s not like my parents are like, ‘Here’s a checklist of what you need to do.’ I had to think about, who can I talk to? Who do I go to for guidance? I was already a problem-solver, but I’m more of a problem-solver now.”
Garcia pursued opportunities including the Redbird Promise, which offers Illinois community college students who meet program requirements guaranteed admission to Illinois State University to earn a bachelor’s degree. Through this program, Garcia was also selected as a Bird to Bird Scholarship winner.
At HCC, Garcia also participated in Project RISE. The program assists students with acclimating to college and becoming a successful student.
Outside of the classroom, Garcia is most excited about getting involved on campus at Illinois State. She would like to create a new registered student organization for geocaching, an outdoor hide-and-seek game using GPS.
Garcia also plans to join the Association of Latin American Students (ALAS).
“At Heartland a lot of my friends were international students, and most of them were Hispanic,” Garcia said. “I felt like I was back in Mexico, even though they’re all from different countries like Colombia, Spain, Argentina, and Mexico. To me, it felt like home being with people that are from a similar culture to mine. So, I think joining something like ALAS would be good, like reconnecting with my roots.”
Garcia is excited to continue her college journey at Illinois State as she works toward her postgraduate dreams.
“One day I want to work for a production company like HBO or Netflix,” Garcia said. “I know it’s a long shot, but—I’m already here. As of last week, I became an American citizen. I never pictured that happening, so what’s really stopping me? I think I can achieve anything I set my mind to.”
Read about all of the students featured in our “Newest Redbirds” series at News.IllinoisState.edu.
