SMC’s Martinez accepts new job
By DAILY PRESS STAFF
SMC Marvin Martinez, Santa Monica College’s vice president of planning and development, will be leaving after 11 years to serve as the first vice chancellor of economic and workforce development for the Los Angeles Community College District.
“Martinez’s extensive administrative experience in economic and resource Prior to serving as vice president of planning and development at SMC, Martinez, 44, was provost at the college, where he was responsible for planning and supervising a new off-campus site. In addition, he served as associate vice-president of planning and development, and dean of business and industry.
He has also worked at Cerritos Community College District as director of economic development — contract education.
“I look forward to working with all nine colleges in LACCD to improve current programs and develop new ones, in order to prepare our students to succeed in the workforce,” Martinez said. “Our goal, as we work together, will be to put all nine colleges at the forefront of economic development activity taking place in Los Angeles.”
Looking back at his career at SMC, Martinez, who has a master’s degree in urban planning from UCLA, said he is most proud of helping to enhance vocational programs after the college was forced to cut popular programs such as automotive because of budget constraints. Now the automotive program is back and better than ever, providing students the latest information on new technologies driving the auto industry, In the spring, SMC will be offering classes in logistics, which is the movement of goods. This is crucial, Martinez said, given that Los Angeles County is home to two of the largest ports in the nation, as well as Los Angeles International Airport.
“A recent report revealed that one-third of Los Angeles County residents live below the federal poverty level and we import nearly 40 percent of all construction workers from outside the country,”
“It is important that we place our basic skills education and our academic tracks into context with career ladders.” — development will move our district forward in developing a capable and job-ready workforce.” said LACCD Chancellor Marshall E. Drummond. Martinez
Martinez is also proud of the work he did with Big Blue Bus to create Mini Blue routes that serve the community and students, helping to reduce traffic congestion.
“We’ve done everything we can to make vocational education relevant,” Martinez said. “We’ve worked hard to build partnerships with the business community and because of that opened the Small Business Development Center, which provides resources for small business owners.”
One of Martinez’s duties was to find grant money for the college, helping to keep programs afloat when other colleges had to make cuts.
“Since 2001, we’ve brought in nearly $20 million worth of federal grants that have been essential in creating smaller sizes and new programs for our students,” Martinez said.
During his tenure, Martinez has seen the college expand both physically and in the programs that it offers, which at times has caused some tension between SMC and residents living adjacent to the college. Martinez, who dealt with residents as provost of the Bundy Campus, said he understands residents’ concerns with SMC’s growth, but hopes their attitude will change.
“There is some concern about the number of students who are coming here who are not from Santa Monica,” Martinez said. “As a public institution, we don’t reject people from having access to an education. Students come here from all over because this is a great college, and the residents should be proud of that. Other communities would love to have a college like ours.
“We strive to be good neighbors.”
Martinez will begin his new position on Jan.14.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 10, 2008. Read the original PDF.