Promise fulfilled

Alondra Martinez, a proud New Haven Promise Scholar and first-generation college graduate, was raised in the Fair Haven neighborhood of New Haven. She attended the Educational Center for the Arts (ECA) high school in New Haven, and graduated from Central Connecticut State University with a bachelor’s degree.

YourYale spoke to Martinez about her experiences with the program and how it shaped her path to her current position.

How did the New Haven Promise shape your college path?

As a first-gen student, I didn’t know much about college besides Southern or Gateway. The New Haven Promise program introduced me to a whole range of options and made college feel real and possible. That guidance helped lead me to Central Connecticut State University, where I earned my degree. Their support also led to my internship with the Human Resources department at Yale, where I was a member of the New Haven Hiring Initiative team and supported event programming across multiple HR branches.

What did receiving the New Haven Promise Scholarship mean to you and your family?

The New Haven Promise scholarship meant everything to us. My whole family was proud — it was truly a team effort. My dad drove me to volunteer hours, and my mom pushed me to pursue higher education. Receiving Promise wasn’t just a win for me; it was a win for all of us.

I’m incredibly grateful to be part of the Promise family. New Haven Promise made college financially and emotionally possible for me as a first-gen student, and they continue to support New Haven public school students every year. They’ve helped build a foundation for my future, and I’m proud to be one of their success stories.

How has working at Yale shaped your connection to New Haven, and what role did your internship play in getting you there?

Working at Yale as someone who grew up in New Haven feels like a full-circle moment. It’s powerful to now be part of an institution I used to pass by as a kid. That experience makes me even more proud to represent my city. Since becoming a full-time staff member, my perspective on New Haven has definitely shifted. I’ve always loved this city, but now I see it through a completely different lens. I get to witness its potential, its people, and the impact we can have when we invest in our own community.

My internship with Yale’s Human Resources department played a big role in that realization. It opened my eyes to how much opportunity exists right here at home. It gave me the confidence to believe I could grow professionally without having to leave New Haven. Programs like Promise show that you can build your future where your roots already run deep. Today, I work as a senior administrative assistant in the Office of Collaborative Excellence at the Yale School of Medicine. I manage calendars, support programming, and help coordinate daily logistics for Ph.D. and Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS) students. My experience with Promise helped me gain the professional tools and confidence I needed to work with multiple teams and build a strong foundation in higher education.

What advice would you give to current New Haven high school students considering the New Haven Promise program?

If you’re thinking about college, Promise should absolutely be part of the conversation. It supports you during the process and continues to be a resource afterward. It’s not just a scholarship; it’s a network.

Do you see yourself continuing your professional journey in New Haven and at Yale, specifically?

For now, yes. There’s so much talent here, and I want to continue supporting Yale students and advocating for inclusive, well-run programs. I love event planning, and when something runs smoothly and students feel supported, that’s the best part. Whether it’s organizing catering, booking travel for science conferences, or ordering swag, I enjoy the whole process and knowing it contributes to student success. I want to make sure events and outreach initiatives truly reflect the community and its needs.