OFFICE OF ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENTStaff Excellence Award 2022
WSU OAE staff excellence award presented to Oscar Martinez
By Beverly Makhani
Division of Academic Engagement and Student Achievement (DAESA)
PULLMAN, Wash.—The Washington State University Office of Academic Engagement (OAE) presented its Staff Excellence Award for 2022 to Oscar Martinez, the coordinator of its Veterans Student Support Services (SSS) program.
The award recognizes the OAE team member whose exceptional contributions over the past year have advanced student success, and who exemplifies the characteristic spirit of its community. Martinez was celebrated at the Division of Academic Engagement and Student Achievement (DAESA) awards event in April. OAE is part of DAESA.
Veterans SSS serves student veterans and active-duty service members across the WSU system from limited-income households, first-generation backgrounds, and those with disabilities
At the awards event, Martinez was complimented for passion and dedication that have been “indispensable” over the past year. He led a team that successfully implemented a “brand new, from-scratch” program in a “remote work, recruitment, and service environment during a pandemic—the challenges and monumental effort required to do so cannot be overstated.”
He is said to have capitalized on his positive, outgoing personality to make partnerships and listen, learn, and then lead the program. A colleague describes him as “student-centered, caring, and a strong advocate for all of us—students and colleagues alike.”
His efforts went beyond implementation of Veterans S-S-S—he worked tirelessly with partners across campuses and community to enhance the university. For example, as co-chair on WSU’s Veterans and Military-Affiliated Student Task Force, he has focused on educating the university community; creating access to mental, physical, and financial wellness resources; and cultivating a veteran-friendly institution.
He was also credited with amplifying outreach to students by developing practical resources on common barriers, increasing student access to financial aid, and providing peer mentorship opportunities to build a stronger community of support.