Ag Communications Student Spotlight: Pia Martinez

Recent ag communications #FresnoStateGrad Pia Martinez (Woodlake) looks forward to another big event later this month when she competes at the Miss United States Agriculture Pageant in Orlando, Florida on June 25-26.

Fresno State has helped her advocate for the industry through FFA Field Day planning committees, a campus farm position, and Sigma Alpha sorority experiences (which also helped her win Miss U.S. Ag honors for Tulare County & Southern California).

Read about her many defining ag experiences, & what's ahead in this recent interview.

 

Q: Why did you choose to attend Fresno State, and how did you pick your major?

Martinez: "Throughout high school, I visited Fresno State numerous times for various FFA Field Days and the campus always felt so welcoming. When it came down to deciding where I wanted to attend college, I chose Fresno State because I fell in love with the agriculture department, and it felt like home.  I chose to major in agricultural communications because I loved the idea of educating the general public about agriculture and bridging the gap between agriculturist and the general public." 

 

Q: Did you have any other family members graduate or attend Fresno State?

Martinez: "Yes, my cousin (Mercedes) is a Fresno State alumni with a B.A. in Sociology, Certificate in Serving At-Risk Youth and a M.S. in Student Affairs and College Counseling and PPS Credential."

Q: Which classes & faculty members had the biggest influence on you while at Fresno State?

Martinez: "Marlene Miyasaki has had the biggest influence on me during my time at Fresno State. She took me under her wing my freshman year and always pushes me to achieve my goals. She has supported and encouraged me during my four years here, and I know I can always come to her for guidance. She is a wonderful woman, and I am so blessed to have her in my life." 

Q: Talk about any work positions on campus and skills that you have learned that you can apply to your career.

Martinez: "I have worked at the Agricultural Operations Department as the Lead Student Assistant for about a year and a half. I love working in the office and interacting with and learning about all of the units on the campus farm. I love that there is always something to do, and I never have the same day twice."

Martinez: "The experience and knowledge I have gained through working in the Farm Office and as the Plant Science Department Student Assistant have helped me to develop a strong sense of responsibility and professionalism, as well as sharpening my computer skills."

Martinez: "In my future career, I want to help bridge the gap between the agricultural industry and consumers, and my job at the Farm Office has helped give me knowledge to more accurately explain the agricultural industry." 

 

Q: What was your background in agriculture before you started at Fresno State?

Martinez: My family’s background has truly shaped me into who I am today. My grandfather, mother, aunts and uncle were all active in 4-H and FFA where they showed lambs, swine, and beef cattle. My mother’s side of my family has emphasized the value of agricultural education to me ever since I was a child.  My grandparents on my father’s side are immigrants from Mexico, and my father is a first generation American. My father grew up working as a migrant field worker harvesting a variety of crops across the west coast. My father’s agricultural story instilled the value of hardwork and determination in me." 

Martinez: "Growing up, I was very active in 4-H and FFA. I showed rabbits and lambs in both organizations at different times. In highschool, I fell in love with FFA and competed on several commotion teams such as Citrus Judging, B.I.G., Floral Judging, Food Science and Technology, Farm Records, and  Agricultural Issues. In FFA I served as the Chapter Historian for one year, Chapter President for two years, and Sectional Secretary my senior year. FFA and 4-H helped me develop leadership skills and showed me the diversity of agriculture. I decided to pursue a career in agriculture because of the valuable skills I learned during my time in 4-H and FFA." 

 

Q: Are you a part of any other clubs/organizations at Fresno State and involved in any noteworthy activities or competitions?

Martinez: "I have been a member of Sigma Alpha for four years and have served as the 2020 & 2021 Standards Chair, the 2020 Alumni Relations Chair, 2019 Panhellenic Chair and the 2018 Alpha Kappa Class Treasurer. I have also joined Fresno State Delight this semester as it is a brand new club." 

 

Q: Have you received any scholarships related to campus, the Jordan College or Ag One?  

Martinez: "Yes, I have received five Ag One Scholarships that include the Gar & Esther Tootelian Scholarship, Patrick and Vinci Ricchiuti Family Scholarship, Robert J. Glim Scholarship (Twice) and Roy Isom Memorial Scholarship."

 

Q: Have you overcome any challenges to get where you are today that have shaped who you are?

Martinez: "I did, I was bullied all four years of high school by a teacher, and it was a very difficult time for me. While this experience was very negative and caused me to develop anxiety, it led me to be more understanding of others and become an advocate for mental health." 

 

Q: What's your potential next career step(s), and what field would you like to work in after graduation?

Martinez: "My next plan is to find a career in the field of communications director or social media manager for an agricultural company."