Giselle Martinez (far left) spoke with Mount Saint Mary College students about her experience working on the Newburgh City Council.
Giselle Martinez, a 2020 Mount Saint Mary College graduate, returned to her alma mater on Thursday, April 27, to share her experiences as a Newburgh City Councilmember with the college’s Pre-Law Society and others in the Mount community.
Martinez answered questions from Pre-Law Society students as well as Dr. Michael L. Fox, assistant professor of Business Law, about her time representing Newburgh’s Ward One so far.
She outlined some current issues she is working with the council to address, including what she believes is a housing emergency in Newburgh. Martinez has found working with fellow councilmembers in addressing these issues to be a challenge, but certainly rewarding.
Martinez also stated that anyone who “truly wants to give back to their community” should pursue local politics, offering this piece of advice: “Get involved in campaigns, gain firsthand experience, and ask yourself, ‘is this what I want to do?’”
Martinez is currently working towards getting her Master’s in Public Administration, with plans to attend law school in the future.