Marilyn Martin earned her undergraduate degree in business administration with a concentration in health administration in 2000 and then earned her Master of Business Administration in 2003; both degrees were earned at Winthrop University.
“My college experience was absolutely amazing,” Martin said. “My favorite events were the cultural events and homecoming. Some of my favorite memories were having dinner with friends in the Café and hanging out in West Thomson.”
Martin explained that her absolute favorite memory was attending the Million Woman March with other African American students in 1997.
As a student, Martin was extremely active in clubs and organizations. She was a senator and later the treasurer for the Student Government Association, now known as the Council of Student Leaders.
Martin was also a Winthrop Ambassador, a member and the president of the American College of Healthcare Executives, a member of the Xi Beta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and was on the College of Business Administration Dean’s Advisory Board.
Although Martin enjoyed her time as a student, her only regret is that she did not participate in the study abroad program and advised that students study abroad if they can during their time at Winthrop.
“The best advice I would give to current Winthrop students is to enjoy the college experience,” Martin said. “Get to know people and make acquaintances outside of your primary ‘friend’ circle.
“For those getting ready to graduate, I would say start transitioning at the end of your junior year or the beginning of your senior year.”
After graduating, Martin was able to solidify a place to live and a job with the help of her mother and a sorority sister.
“If I could have done anything differently, I would have had a roommate for two to three years and kept the car I had in college rather than purchasing a new one simply because I could,” Martin said.
Martin currently works as the program chair of the Office Administration and Medical Office Administration certificate programs at Central Piedmont Community College.
Just as Martin was active within the clubs and organizations that Winthrop offered, she is also an active alumna.
“In the College of Business Administration, I have been a guest speaker, presented at the Student Professional Development Conference and have been an alumni mentor, specifically for Health Administration students,” Martin said.
Additionally, she has served as a member of the Winthrop University Alumni Executive Board and is currently the affinity group liaison for Sorors Initiated Through Xi Beta.
Students and faculty are always excited to have the opportunity to learn from the alumni who came before them. Thankfully, Martin has found that pouring into current Winthrop students is important and necessary for their education. The Winthrop community hopes that Martin will remain active as a Winthrop alumna.
“My time at Winthrop has totally helped mold my life as it is and has prepared me for numerous roles and opportunities,” Martin said. “I would not change anything.”
