Mitzi Martinez
Reported by Romare Ashford
Since being an undergraduate at George Fox University (GFU), Mitzi Martinez has always had the drive to help students around her.
“Being a first-generation college student and not understanding the system so well, I knew I wanted to give back in some capacity,” Martinez said. Now Martinez is the area coordinator for Pennington, Carey, Willcuts, and Beebe (PCWB) and has the opportunity to follow students and guide them during the time they grow the most.
Getting involved in student leadership on campus was her introduction to leadership as an undergraduate. She interacted with students at different stages in their college life by being active in student government, mentoring, and resident life.
“I got to talk to incoming first-year students and shared about college...I realized a lot about my experience, stories, and my own struggles were of value to students,” said Martinez. These interactions with students created a passion that made her want to work in student affairs after college.
Martinez attended Azusa Pacific University (APU) to earn a masters in College Counseling and Student Development. Going to graduate school in California helped her learn and strengthen the proper skills to assist students in college. While at APU, Martinez felt like an outsider around students of color after being in a predominantly white culture at GFU. During this time she learned to appreciate her differences from others in higher education.
When Martinez began her job hunt, she wanted to look for primarily white Christian institutions. Entering those spaces allowed Martinez to bring something different to the table. Martinez sees this acceptance of self as an uphill battle. She wants to see the change in culture at Fox for students of color.
“I [am] happy seeing students of color being themselves at Fox. I see student[s] of color
in positions they wouldn't have had before,” said Martinez.
Martinez’s undergraduate experience inspired her to come back to a Christian college to work. She was challenged in her faith over and over at GFU. Seeing a lack of representation made pursuing higher education a goal for her.
“How can I live my true self in this field recognizing that I will be feeling a lot of pressure to assimilate to that culture?” Martinez asked.
She strives to be an advocate for students of color and help them feel understood.
“I know there is comfort in students seeing someone like them; a person they don’t need to be explained to,” said Martinez. Martinez has only been an area coordinator for five weeks, but her presence in higher education means the world to the George Fox community.