For Jordan Martinez, the path to college began with a simple but life-changing question.
“What are you going to do with
your life?”
At the time, Martinez was working as a dental assistant in Pueblo, a role she had held for two years after high school. She enjoyed the work, but it was during an evaluation with her employer that everything shifted.
“That’s when I started to see a future for myself in dentistry,” Martinez said. “And I knew in order to get there, I had to go to college.”
Today, Martinez is pursuing a degree in health sciences with a pre-dental emphasis at Colorado State University Pueblo. Her journey reflects determination, mentorship, and the critical role of scholarship support.
After high school, Martinez did not have a clear plan. Dental assisting school gave her direction, but it was the encouragement of her employer, Dr. Jamie Johnson, that helped her take the next step.
“Like a bonus parent,” Martinez said. “She really took me in and saw my potential. She and her family are my family now.”
That support gave Martinez the confidence to pursue higher education, even as a first-generation college student.
“Earning a degree really matters to me because I’m a first-generation college student,” she said. “It’s hard, but it’s also really rewarding because I have younger siblings that look up to me.”
Without a family history of college to guide her, Martinez has had to navigate the experience largely on her own. Still, she sees her role as an opportunity to lead.
“I’m the first one because I’m the only one brave enough to push that door open,” she said.
That courage alone, however, would not have been enough without financial support.
“I would not be able to go to college if I didn’t have scholarships,” Martinez said. “Without scholarships or donor support, I would have to work full-time just to pay for living expenses. I wouldn’t be able to attend school at the same time.”
Scholarships have allowed Martinez to focus on her studies, become involved on campus, and build meaningful connections. Through those opportunities, she joined the honors program and expanded her network.
For Martinez, one of the most impactful aspects of receiving scholarships is the chance to connect with the people who make them possible.
“Those relationships are really important to me,” she said. “Being able to thank donors and let them know they’re making a difference—that means a lot.”
Her experience has also shaped the advice she offers to others.
“Build connections. Ask for help,” Martinez said. “People don’t know you need help unless you ask.”
Looking ahead, Martinez plans to attend dental school, a goal that once felt out of reach. Now, it represents something much bigger.
“Because of this support, I can now dream of being the first person in my family to get my college degree and then head toward dental school,” she said.
For Martinez, that dream is not just about her future. It is about opening the door for those who follow.
