January 17, 2005--Estrella Mountain Community College counselor and community activist Jason Zapata Martinez began his three year term with the Arizona Civil Rights Advisory Board on Monday, January 17, 2005.Appointed by Governor Janet Napolitano, Martinez will have an active share in defending the public from discriminatory practices through the quarterly board's investigations, hearings, and resultant recommendations to the civil rights division of the Attorney General's Office. The appointment is just part of a realization of Martinez's lifelong commitment to actively contribute to enhancing diversity in the community and defending the civil rights of all minority groups.The product of Maricopa Community Colleges and Arizona State University, Martinez completed a Masters in Counseling with an emphasis in Multicultural Psychology. In addition to first hand experience working with the community as a counselor at EMCC, Martinez credits his awareness of local community interests to his completion of Valle Del Sol's Hispanic Leadership Institute West. "LI West got me motivated to get out and make a difference in the community," Martinez says. The Governor's board focusing on civil rights was a perfect fit for Martinez.In addition to directing Hispanic Heritage Month efforts and sponsoring MEChA at EMCC, Martinez also teaches Intro to Multiculturalism. For Martinez this particular appointment is a perfect fit. "In so many ways," Martinez says, "The board focuses on issues I am extremely passionate about."Estrella Mountain Community College is a Maricopa Community College. Located on Thomas and Dysart Roads in Avondale, EMCC offers transfer-ready academic courses and job-specific occupational training to residents in the West Valley. Maricopa County Community College District is one of the largest community college districts in the nation serving more than a quarter million students annually. For more information visit www.estrellamountain.edu or www.maricopa.edu # # #
