Shining a light on the hard work and accomplishments of Hispanic leaders throughout Senate District 21, Senator Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) is pleased to recognize Victor Valley College’s Martha Mendez for her string of successes in expanding access to quality education in the High Desert community.
“The daughter of hardworking immigrants, Martha’s journey is the perfect example of what it means to achieve the American Dream. Her dedication and passion for education has uplifted the lives of so many in the Victor Valley,” said Senator Wilk. “Whether it’s volunteering or working to bring in resources for the underserved in our community, her leadership is incredibly worthy of recognition and it is my pleasure to highlight her accomplishments. Thank you, Martha and congratulations!”
Martha currently serves as the college’s Special Grants and Contracts Manager, where she channels her passion for education to secure resources for underserved and underrepresented students.
As a child of immigrant parents, she made a pledge in elementary school to master the English language, while at the same time embracing American culture and preserving her Hispanic heritage.
At Victor Valley College, her leadership qualities shined bright. She served as the ASB President and after graduating was quickly hired by Victor Valley College. Because of her tireless efforts and grant-writing expertise, Martha has brought millions of dollars to the High Desert, creating opportunities for students who need them most.
She has been instrumental in enhancing extracurricular resources and after-school programs across numerous Victor Valley high school campuses, and most notable is her achievement in aligning Adult Education programs across the High Desert.
Whether it’s bringing GED testing to Victor Valley College, or working to launch a medical Spanish-language Career Technical Experience program, Martha dedicates herself to providing the best opportunities possible for underrepresented High Desert students and residents.
Martha and her husband have raised three wonderful daughters, one of whom attends UC Santa Barbara and another who attends Stanford. Their youngest is currently attending Galileo Elementary School, where she excels in academics and athletics. All of these accomplishments speak volumes to Martha’s commitment to education, and the values she instilled in her own family.