2008 Woodie Awards
PROFILE: Martirosyan Moves the ASU Forward
Zabie Mansoory
Issue date: 9/28/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Nelli Martirosyan had to be elected as Valley College's ASU president twice last spring in order to overcome student complaints surrounding the original balloting. No president would ask to begin an administration under a cloud of controversy, but the 24-year-old Martirosyan isn't letting that stumbling start slow her down.
"That page of the history book is closed now and I'm moving ahead," said Martirosyan. "I'm too busy with current projects and I don't have time to think about past issues."
Martirosyan and opponent Theresa Chavez were both disqualified from the first race last semester due to election-code violations. The ASU election committee unilaterally appointed third-place finisher Adam Park president, but Advisor Sherri Rodriguez overturned the decision and called for a second election, in which Martirosyan again emerged victorious.
Shrugging all of that off, Martirosyan organized the ASU Textbook Exchange, a book swap to help students save money. Officials say more than 350 students sold or bought books through the program, making it one of the best-participated recent ASU events. ASU will repeat the program at the beginning of the winter and spring semesters.
"This was a very big success for us," said Martirosyan. "We haven't had this many students participating in an ASU event in a long time."
"[Martirosyan] is very high energy," said Rodriguez. "She is passionate and dedicated to the goals she sets for herself."
She said she moved to the United States six years ago because of the economic, social and political upheaval in Armenia. "I had to learn everything from zero," she said.
Martirosyan attended the Medical Institute in Hollywood, where she earned diplomas in ultrasound technology and medical billing procedures. Afterward, she worked as a medical biller for seven months.
"I realized that I want to help people, not bill them," said Martirosyan. "It was a good way to make money, but I wasn't happy."
Majoring in political science at Valley, Martirosyan hopes to transfer to Georgetown University, UC Berkeley or Columbia. She plans to get her master's degree in comparative politics.
"After I receive my Ph. D., I want to return to Armenia and help people," said Martirosyan. "That is my goal in life."
Martirosyan credits her parents, significant other and close colleagues for guiding her and influencing her work.
ASU currently has four vacant positions, including commissioner of public relations, commissioner of athletics, inner-club council representative and secretary.
"That page of the history book is closed now and I'm moving ahead," said Martirosyan. "I'm too busy with current projects and I don't have time to think about past issues."
 Media Credit: Dan Villasenor BRINGING STUDENTS TOGETHER - ASU President Nelli Martirosyan brings a fiery and bold energy to the student union. |
Martirosyan and opponent Theresa Chavez were both disqualified from the first race last semester due to election-code violations. The ASU election committee unilaterally appointed third-place finisher Adam Park president, but Advisor Sherri Rodriguez overturned the decision and called for a second election, in which Martirosyan again emerged victorious.
Shrugging all of that off, Martirosyan organized the ASU Textbook Exchange, a book swap to help students save money. Officials say more than 350 students sold or bought books through the program, making it one of the best-participated recent ASU events. ASU will repeat the program at the beginning of the winter and spring semesters.
"This was a very big success for us," said Martirosyan. "We haven't had this many students participating in an ASU event in a long time."
"[Martirosyan] is very high energy," said Rodriguez. "She is passionate and dedicated to the goals she sets for herself."
She said she moved to the United States six years ago because of the economic, social and political upheaval in Armenia. "I had to learn everything from zero," she said.
Martirosyan attended the Medical Institute in Hollywood, where she earned diplomas in ultrasound technology and medical billing procedures. Afterward, she worked as a medical biller for seven months.
"I realized that I want to help people, not bill them," said Martirosyan. "It was a good way to make money, but I wasn't happy."
Majoring in political science at Valley, Martirosyan hopes to transfer to Georgetown University, UC Berkeley or Columbia. She plans to get her master's degree in comparative politics.
"After I receive my Ph. D., I want to return to Armenia and help people," said Martirosyan. "That is my goal in life."
Martirosyan credits her parents, significant other and close colleagues for guiding her and influencing her work.
ASU currently has four vacant positions, including commissioner of public relations, commissioner of athletics, inner-club council representative and secretary.
