Andrea Martinez, a fourth-year student pursuing a degree in Supply Chain Information and Analytics, is an international student with an impressive history of academic excellence and leadership. Originally from Nicaragua, Andrea’s story is one of resilience, ambition and passion for both business analysis and soccer. When Andrea first came to Purdue, she knew she wanted to be a Boilermaker. She loved her culture, the number of international students, and the opportunity to earn her Entrepreneurship and Innovation certificate.
Andrea’s determination and adaptability helped her navigate the challenges of attending college during a global pandemic. She started the course online and was finally able to attend her West Lafayette course in January 2021. In an in-person certificate course in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, she experienced the value of taking courses with students from so many different majors. As a business student, she understood how her thinking differed from students in engineering, pharmacy, and even industrial design.
Through the Entrepreneurship Program, Andrea was able to take advantage of networking opportunities and gain insight from industry experts. She encourages her fellow students to build connections with her instructors and take advantage of experiential learning and mentorship opportunities.
Andrea developed a passion for soccer from an early age in Nicaragua, where he played on the national (youth) team. In 2023, Andrea completed an internship with North America’s largest professional soccer organization, United Soccer League. Her goal is to combine her passion for sports with her supply chain expertise to make a meaningful impact on sports, specifically the empowerment of women in the sports world. She continues to play her soccer recreationally at Purdue University, and she feels lucky to be able to blend her personal interests with her academic studies.
As Dean of the Daniels School of Business, Andrea has played a central role in organizing the Career Fair, which attracts over 150 companies each semester. She started as Director of the Strategic Planning and Events Committee, spearheading activities leading up to her career fair, including critiquing resumes that demonstrated her exceptional organizational and leadership skills. Since taking over as President, Andrea has led the seamless execution of events that require significant time commitments throughout the year to ensure proper coordination and communication in advance with her employer. As her graduation approaches, Andrea is eager to mentor her successor to ensure her organization continues to thrive.
Andrea embodies the spirit of Purdue University, a truly international community driven by a shared commitment to excellence and making a difference in the world. As Andrea prepares to embark on her professional journey, she is laying the foundation to inspire future generations of boilermakers.
