Gary Martinez
B.A in Sociology, Newark College of Arts and Sciences
Hometown: Fairview, New Jersey
“I enjoy motivating others,” says Gary Martinez, “because I needed motivation coming into Rutgers, and I want to give back what was given to me.” Gary made it to Rutgers with assistance from the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF), a state-supported effort to help economically and educationally disadvantaged students attend college. Once at Rutgers, he excelled, making the dean’s list and earning an EOF academic achievement award. Yet Gary understands the value of the help he got, and during recent summers, he worked as a peer counselor for the EOF program, mentoring students and assisting EOF counselors. “It’s good for the students to get advice and help from someone who’s done it before,” he says.
Gary has also volunteered at a local charter school, helped organize a fundraiser for a campus organization, and planned events for Rutgers–Newark’s Hispanic student organization, LUNA. “As long as I’m helping someone, I’m comfortable,” he says.
