Valley Star , CA
Oct 2 2005

PROFILE: Martirosyan Moves the ASU Forward
By Zabie Mansoory
Published: Wednesday, September 28, 2005

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.”

Photo:
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.