By Madeline Swanson | Art by Dyanna Bateman | Cover photo by Eric Bronson, Michigan Photography | Additional photos provided by Odri Martinez
Whether it was immigrating from the Dominican Republic to the United States as a young child, learning to speak English, or earning a dual degree in political science and sociology from the University of Michigan, Odri Martinez (AB ’23) is not one to shy away from challenges. When it comes to living life, she likes to “get the juice out of it,” as she puts it.
“No matter the hardship of whatever it is that you're facing—whether it be a book, a class, or whether it just be life in general—take the juice out of it; get the substance out of it. Find what's best in it,” Odri said.
It’s that positive, can-do attitude that propelled her to the top five of her high school class and eventually to U‑M, thanks, in part, to funding from the Go Blue Guarantee and from M-PACT—two need-based financial assistance programs that receive donor support and are for in-state students.
“It was one of the best things that’s ever happened to me, and it's really a privilege and an honor to know that there are people out there who are willing to give so that people like me can further their education,” she said.
For Odri, this support gave her peace of mind knowing she would graduate without debt as she pursues law school and allowed her to immerse herself in research through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP). Her research project, titled Spatial Stereotypes and Racial Inequality, focused on biases that may come with associating certain groups with wealth and others with poverty based on the features of the spaces where they live.
“Working in that realm really was what convinced me to take on an additional major in sociology,” Odri said. “Having that opportunity to work so close with faculty and focus on not only the psychology of it, but also the socioeconomic impacts that are involved, really drove me to study both political science and sociology, especially knowing it would prepare me for my future career.”
Now, as she embarks upon her journey to becoming an immigration attorney, she’s inspired to pay forward her experiences in the United States and the financial support she received as an undergraduate by helping others who want to pursue the American dream.
“I could say one of the biggest things that happened in my life was immigrating to the United States, and to have the privilege to come to this country legally, which many people don't have, really was one of the most amazing things that has happened to me,” Odri said. “I want to help people achieve that dream as well.”
Odri’s journey to America started at a young age, and actually began with her mother and sister, who arrived here three years ahead of Odri and her younger sister. Remaining in the Dominican Republic with their grandmother until her mother was settled, 6-year-old Odri and her younger sister eventually joined their mother in Queens, New York.
“Coming from a school in the Dominican Republic to a school in the United States was a difficult (transition),” Odri said. “Coming to this country, I didn't know any English at all. I remember as my mom was walking me to the classroom that first day, and she was trying to teach me small words that I could say to get by.”
Fast forward to high school, and Odri and her family were living in the Detroit suburb of Melvindale, more adjusted to life in the United States. On a trip back to her home country when she was 17, she was reminded of the differences between the two. It inspired her to use her long-standing fascination with the legal system to become an advocate for others like her.
“I noticed that the expectations were very low for many girls from my (old) neighborhood to go to college,” Odri said.
“My goal with immigration law has always been to give back the opportunity that I received. I want to give that 6-year-old child who is longing to live in the United States the same opportunity that I had. I want to give that mother who wants a better life for her child the opportunity that my mother got.”
Although her parents didn’t finish school themselves, Odri credits her mother for encouraging her to get a college degree. The way Odri saw it, this was just another one of those challenges she would face head on.
“I always wanted to go to a good school, and I knew all I needed to do was push myself to go the extra mile so I could achieve it. And that's what I did,” Odri said. “I decided that was going to be the goal that I set for myself, and since my freshman year of high school, my goal was always to go to the University of Michigan.”
With goals to make a difference for people like herself, Odri said she’s grateful for the donors who support the Go Blue Guarantee and M-PACT, helping her to earn a Michigan degree and prepare herself to become a future lawyer.
“Going to a school like the University of Michigan with such a rigorous curriculum is really preparing me to be able to withstand whatever law school throws at me,” Odri said. “And on top of that, I’ve learned that things might be difficult, things might be hard, but you have to remember to get the juice out of it.”
