Martin Lozano

Martin Lozano loves to learn, build, and create things.

That’s why, when the Whitney M. Young Magnet High School graduate was exploring his college options, Daley College—a school known for its advanced manufacturing and engineering offerings—made sense. Still, while the programs attracted Martin to Daley, he says it’s the people there that encouraged him to stay.

“They helped me as a first-generation student,” Martin said. “They helped me get over some struggles I found in college like imposter syndrome and the feeling of not belonging…”

Martin says he’ll never forget the impact that people at Daley have had on him. As a result, he’s made an effort to give back to others, too. Martin has created study groups to help his peers better understand difficult material, and he founded the Engineering Club at Daley to create a community among like-minded students. His altruistic attitude was one of the reasons Martin received a City Colleges of Chicago Luminary Award earlier this year.

Martin believes the supportive environment at community colleges is one of their unique benefits, and he wants other students to know that starting at City Colleges is a great decision.

“Don’t feel that because you are at a community college, you’re not at the same level as a four-year university,” he said. “It’s the same materials—it’s just that you’re just going to have more support, and the [staff and faculty] want you to succeed.”