NAME:
Martin Martinez Saldana

AGE:
21

HOMETOWN:
Long Beach

MAJOR:
Political Science

LBCC ORGANIZATIONS, CLUBS OR SPORTS AFFILIATIONS:
Honors Program and Men of Aztlan

 

Q: How long have you attended LBCC?

A: I have attended LBCC for two years.

 

Q: Why did you decide to attend LBCC?

A: Their honors program and dedication to assisting students in transferring were always a very big pull factor for me.

 

Q: What were your expectations when coming to LBCC?

A: My expectations honestly were that I would come to school, leave, go to work, and repeat. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised to find a great community on campus and with the Men of Aztlan.

 

Q: What does LBCC mean to you?

A: LBCC means opportunity for me. Whether you are a freshmen student looking for an AA, transfer or a non-traditional student that is looking to build an educational background or career LBCC has many pathways leading to success.

 

Q: Who is your role model?

A: My role models are my parents. As cliché as that sounds, it’s true. Their stories are of great sacrifice in order to achieve a better future. There might not have been a concrete end goal, but their journeys have provided me with a multitude of inspiration to continue moving forward with my life.

 

Q: What is your biggest passion?

A: My biggest passion is helping those around me, in particular, communities of color to be successful. Through my studies of Politics and Sociology, I have the ability to switch my paradigm in order to fully assist all of those around me to create a better community and ultimately a greater society.

 

Q: In what way have you made an impact at LBCC?

A: I believe that I have made an impact at LBCC by participating in our student government through Club Senate. Student Life Coordinator Teila Robertson and I have always been in contact in order to assist our clubs in their development and maturity through my two years at LBCC.

 

Q: How has LBCC shaped you into your best self?

A: LBCC has shaped me by exposing me to great staff and faculty. Two great professors and their continued support for me are things that I could not have found anywhere else. Professor Savoie and the late Professor DelGaudio were two absolutely great mentors to me.

 

Q: What advice would you have for new LBCC students?

A: Take a risk. Join a club you might not otherwise join, take the class you might not think is right for you, take advantage of everything LBCC has to offer while you are there.

 

Q: If there is one thing LBCC has taught you, what would it be?

A: That I am a valuable student capable of doing great things for my community and myself through academics and education.

 

Q: Where do you see yourself in the future?

A: Hopefully, I’ll be attending law school after I graduate from a 4-year university and I can use that experience to run for my local government or become the City of Long Beach 7^th district representative to represent the Latino, African America, Pilipino, and Pacific Islander community.

 

Q: What is one thing you would change about your experience here at LBCC?

A: Nothing. Honestly, everything has fallen perfectly into place for me. I have met great people, done great things and have been able to enjoy every single aspect of it.

 

Q: What are your professional goals?

A: Like I mentioned before I would like to run for representative of Long Beach’s 7^th district, and potentially someday become mayor for our great city.

 

Q: What do you plan to do after you leave LBCC?

A: Transfer to a 4-year where I can gain some legitimacy in the field of Political Science so that I can move forward and help others.