Joshua A. Martin, Ed.D.

Onondaga Community College Liberty Partnerships Program Alumni

When did you graduate high school, and which high school did you attend?
I graduated in June 2001 from Thomas J. Corcoran High School in Syracuse, NY.

What are you up to now?
I am currently the Director of the Liberty Partnerships Program at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, NY providing student centered supports to ten middle schools and high schools within Syracuse City and LaFayette Central School Districts.

How did you get involved with Liberty Partnerships?
During high school, a lot of my friends were program participants which led me to inquire about the services and supports offered. It was one of the best decisions I made while attending Corcoran.

What are some of your favorite activities/programs that you did through Liberty Partnerships?
During my time in the LPP, the focus was academic success and improvement. I appreciated the consistent help available during the school day and after school. LPP helped connect me to my mentor, Mr. Tony Brown. Also, it kept me connected to my peers in a safe and structured environment each day.

Describe how Liberty Partnerships shaped your life both in and out of the classroom.
Good help is hard to find. LPP was a reliable branch of my support system and it helped reinforce the notion of work hard and play later. That mindset helped me achieve success beyond what I envisioned was possible. Being the hardest worker in the room is an ingrained belief that travels with me everywhere.

What are you most proud of?
Making my parents and family proud. I defied the odds. I should have given up a long time ago. Entering college straight out of high school, I placed into five (5) non-credit classes at Onondaga Community College. Fast forward, I finished my formal collegiate education earning a total of five degrees (A.A.S., B.S., M.S., M.A., with the last being a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) in Executive Leadership. Sharing my story with learners of all ages is very humbling because my gift is not about me!

What advice do you have for current students?
Own who you are. Be authentically you. Work for what you want. You are 1 of 1. Strive to be more than just the flavor of the month. Be committed to the challenge of being great. Do not be embarrassed, ashamed or afraid to ask for help when you need it.

What does community mean to you?
Community is connectedness. Community is love and learning. Community is hope and inspiration. Community is service and sharing. Community is accountability and responsibility. Community is welcoming and safety. Community is growth and improvement.