College of Education Faculty Member Receives Outstanding Mentor Award

Melissa A. Martinez, a professor in Texas State University’s Department of Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education and School Psychology, has won The Graduate College Outstanding Mentor Award. The award recognizes faculty who excel in mentoring graduate students. 

The award eligibility criteria specified and requirements for the nomination materials are aligned with the criteria established by the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools (CSGS) for their outstanding mentor award. As a result, the campus winner is entered in the CSGS competition with a chance to earn regional recognition.

Martinez’s colleagues and former students submitted letters praising her mentorship, highlighting her impact on their academic and professional development. 

A native of the Rio Grande Valley, Martinez is a former bilingual elementary school teacher and school counselor. She earned a doctorate in educational administration from The University of Texas at Austin in 2010 and bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The University of Texas at Brownsville in 1998 and 2002, respectively.

Her research focuses on equity and access issues in education, including:

• Improving college readiness, access and culture for underserved communities
• Preparing equity-oriented school leaders
• Preparing and retaining faculty of color

Martinez is committed to training future educational leaders who are thoughtful, critical and reflective, and who adhere to social justice principles.