ACC Alumni Spotlight: Brandon Martinez

We recently caught up with Arapahoe Community College (ACC) alumnus Brandon Martinez, who is now attending MSU Denver. He looks back on his time at ACC with fond memories and looks toward the future with his sights set on helping others.

When did you graduate from ACC?

I completed my studies at ACC in May 2021. I attended classes at the Littleton Campus.

What degree(s) or certificate(s) did you earn at ACC?

I earned Associate of Arts degrees in Psychology and Philosophy.

Did you receive any scholarships at ACC?

Yes...I earned PTK scholarships, First-Generation scholarships, and the Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise scholarship.

How did receiving these scholarships impact your ACC experience?

It allowed me to complete a double degree without having to take out loans. This also allowed me to pursue extracurriculars such as the Vice President of the College Project for ACC's Sigma Phi chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.

What are you doing these days?

I am pursuing a degree in Philosophy and Psychology at MSU Denver. Outside of class, I work as a teaching assistant for Symbolic Logic, a research assistant for the Psychology and Philosophy departments, and am a member of the Student Affairs Board.

My psychology research investigates improved STEM student outcomes which come from active learning practices alongside the systemic issues in higher education which contribute to professors not utilizing active learning and inclusive teaching practices. My philosophy research is on ethical forward-thinking policy for automated vehicles which I presented at the Denver capitol earlier this year.

What is your long-term goal?

I plan to pursue a master’s degree in public policy specific to artificial intelligence, and to be involved in local-level politics. I want to advocate for greater public resources for mental health, safety, and access to high-quality education. More than anything, though, I want to create scholarships for students at ACC and MSU Denver who have epilepsy so I can reduce their financial burden while pursuing education. As someone with epilepsy, balancing school, work, and my health was - and continues to be - incredibly challenging. The scholarships I received from ACC greatly reduced these challenges. I hope to do the same for many students in the future.

What's your favorite memory at ACC?

When I graduated as ACC's 2021 Student of the Year, all my favorite instructors showed up to commencement to support me along with all my friends and family. It’s my favorite memory of my entire life. It was amazing to fully realize my goal of becoming Student of the Year and to be celebrated by the professors whom I looked up to.

Which ACC class was your favorite...and why?

My favorite class was Introduction to Ethics taught by Dr. David Sackris. It humbled me when I failed one of my first writing assignments. It also opened my eyes to so many different perspectives and put me on a path of a life-long love for philosophy. I frequently return to the lessons and concepts I learned in that class to enrich all aspects of my life.

Why did you choose ACC?

I chose ACC because one of my good friends is an alum and had nothing but good things to say about the professors, flexibility, and affordability.

Any words of wisdom for future ACC students?

It's important to dedicate yourself to your studies and it's even more important to make friends and other meaningful connections along the way. As much as I've learned academically from ACC, graduation would not have been as enjoyable as it was if I did not make connections with staff, faculty, and friends who came to support me. Make sure to find your balance of academic achievement and developing connections with others who support your intellectual and creative endeavors.

Anything else you'd like to share?

Yes, two things. One, the ACC Library and Learning Commons was my favorite place to go on campus. Largely due to all the librarians and instructors in the Writing Center who worked there. Two, I’d like to thank Courtney Johnston for all the great book recommendations, Alejandro Lucero for the dozens of revisions on my papers, and Terri Scrima for helping me find my voice.

Are you an alum who has Moved Mountains because of the education and opportunities you enjoyed at ACC? Contact the ACC Foundation foundation [at] arapahoe [dot] edu (mailto:foundation[at]arapahoe[dot]edu) to learn more about how your generosity can benefit our students and programs.