Commencement Spotlight: Angelina Martinez

Commencement Spotlight: Angelina Martinez 

Angelina Martinez 
Port St. Lucie, Florida 
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice 

Future attorney, Angelina Martinez, is a woman of many titles: daughter, wife, student, probate paralegal and new mom. On the morning of Dec. 12, she added one more title to her repertoire: Bearkat alumna. While her portfolio is already impressive, Martinez is already working toward becoming a certified paralegal through Sam Houston State University’s Polytechnic College, SamPoly. 

The opportunity to work toward her certification while also wrapping up her bachelor's degree in criminal justice came to her through a conversation with Martinez’s supervisor during her time working at the dean’s office for the College of Arts & Media.  

“I remember talking with my supervisor about how I’ve always believed some of the best attorneys start out as paralegals. About a month after that conversation, she emailed me to let me know SHSU was launching the SamPoly paralegal program,” she said. “I was ecstatic, but I was also nervous. I was nearing graduation, and I was a few months pregnant at the time, so I worried about whether I’d even be able to join the program.” 

Still determined, Martinez reached out to the Registrar’s Office and learned that if she was willing to take on the extra workload, she could dive into the certificate program while finishing her bachelor’s. Willing to take on the challenge, she got in touch with the director of SamPoly’s paralegal program, Scott Meyer, who put all of her fears to rest.  

“From our very first conversation, he was enthusiastic, supportive and reassuring,” she said. “That same energy never changed once classes started or as the semester went on. Dr. Meyer has been incredibly encouraging, and he always takes the time to help if I don’t understand something right away.” 

Having served on the executive board of her sorority throughout her pregnancy and participated in volunteerism through the sorority and the Student Government Association, Martinez knew that college can be a juggling act. With a newborn on her hip, 30-credit hours on her course schedule and her job as a probate paralegal, she had more responsibilities to juggle than ever before. Despite her towering task list, Martinez was able to breathe easily and find balance. She would put in a full day’s work at the law firm and go home to spend time with her husband and son before knocking out her coursework online.  

“The structure, support and teaching style have made the program a really positive experience for me. The course has well prepared me for the legal work and technology I use every day; intake, drafting, researching, etc.,” Martinez said.  

Thanks to Martinez’s hard work and the support she received from personal cheerleaders such as her family and Meyer, she applied and was accepted to Texas A&M University’s Master of Legal Studies Program. And she’s not stopping there; Martinez is currently studying for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), which she plans to pass in January. She’ll follow that up by earning her paralegal certification in May before moving on to earning her Juris Doctorate and becoming an attorney.  

“More than anything, I want my son to be able to say, ‘My mom did it,’” Martinez said. “I want him to grow up knowing that even when life gets unbelievably hard, you keep going, you keep fighting and you keep building the future you want. My hope is that watching me push through my challenges will inspire him to chase his own goals with the same strength and determination.” 

SHSU offers support for pregnant and parenting students, read about campus resources here.