Edgar Martinez

Edgar graduated from California State University Channel Islands with a B.A. in Spanish, in 2017. He currently works as a Financial Aid Specialist at California State University Channel Islands.

Edgar’s Message:
EOP has given me the opportunity to achieve my current success by granting me special admissions to the university. Without their support, my admittance to the university was not possible. EOP gave me the chance to grow and excel in my academics, while also providing me with leadership opportunities.

Aside from my involvement with EOP, I also was highly involved on campus; I was part of M.E.Ch.A, El club de Español, Adelante Mujer, Ballet Folklorico, and Student Government. My involvement on campus helped me to develop my passion for higher education. I knew then, that my passion for providing accessibility and support to my fellow students was something I wanted to continue once I graduated.

Being a first generation Latino male, has played a major role during my undergraduate career, it gave me the motivation to inspire more first-generation Latino males to pursue a higher education. When I was an incoming freshman, our Dean of Students was the first Latino male person that I met within the Student Affairs Division. I was pleased to know of another Latino male that had a passion for higher education. My words of wisdom for current EOP students: never let anyone define who you are; you are the only person who defines you. We may be a statistic to many, but amongst ourselves defined by our capability to succeed.