Nina Martinez

Journalist & Copy Editor
Austin,Texas

who?

Nina Martinez is a Tejana journalist and copy editor based out of Austin, Texas.

Raised in the sweet town of Sugar Land, Texas, Martinez developed a love for history and storytelling, which led her to her love of writing. Martinez is a recent graduate of St. Edward’s University in Austin where she earned her BA in Writing and Rhetoric, specializing in journalism.

During her four years in college, she implemented her passions in her work, chronicling and working with locals to tell their stories. Along with reporting at her university’s newspaper, she also served as editor-in-chief and a copy editor for the publication.

She is recently wrapper un an internship at Texas Monthly as an editorial intern, reporting and writing state-based stories and shadowing the copyediting team.

When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing, playing with her sweet pup, Fitzgerald (yes, after F. Scott Fitzgerald), or riding her bike down the bustling streets of Austin.

published works

Texas Monthly • 16th June 2023

Opal Lee, Fort Worth’s “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” Is Still Marching at 96

Opal Lee first made national headlines in 2016, when the then-89-year-old walked more than 1,400 miles from Fort Worth to Washington, D.C., in a campaign to convince lawmakers to recognize Juneteenth as a federal holiday (a designation it finally received in 2021). Seven years after her historic walk, Lee’s activism continues to make news. She was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2022, and this year was honored as the second Black woman to have her portrait hung in the Texas Senate chamber.

Hilltop Views • 8th March 2023

Councilmember Ryan Alter’s first resolution combats affordable off-campus housing for college students

Ryan Alter, Austin’s District 5 city council member, authored his first resolution in support of affordable student housing. The resolution was approved with amendments at the city council meeting on Feb. 23. “I’m excited this is my first council agenda item,” Alter said. “I believe it’s an incredibly important issue for our city.” The resolution directs the Austin City Manager and the city’s College Student Commission to create ways for students to affordably live close to their college campu

Hilltop Views • 14th February 2023

It’s On Us, Uber collaboration brings safety materials, incentives to the Hilltop

Students can find easy links to the resources provided by visiting the St. Edward’s It’s On Us Instagram page. The Uber newsroom announced a rideshare safety campaign on Jan. 27 in collaboration with the national organization It’s On Us to bring rideshare safety education to campuses across the country. Uber and It’s On Us selected 10 college campuses to receive safety tips and an incentive for the month of February. St. Edward’s University was one of the campuses selected for the campaign. “

Hilltop Views • 14th February 2023

Recent resolution recognizes “St. Edward’s University Day”, marks continuation of university’s five-year plan

A resolution recognizing Feb. 9 as “St. Edward’s University Day” was adopted by Texas lawmakers. During a House and Senate session on Feb. 8 in the Texas State Capitol, university and student leaders gathered in the chamber to witness the achievement. “I feel incredibly excited,” university President Monterrat Fuentes said. “It’s wonderful to see that appreciation and recognition from the community.” House Resolution 93 places strong emphasis on the university’s ongoing commitment to diversity

Texas Monthly • 8th February 2023

Let the Good Times Roll at These Texas Mardi Gras Parties

My first Mardi Gras memory happened when I was just five years old. I went to Catholic school in Houston, and in 2006, when I was in kindergarten, I gained a new friend, who’d fled New Orleans with his family after Hurricane Katrina. To help Christian and all the other newcomers feel at home, our school organized a parade around the rose garden in front of the church. We crowded the street in our purple, gold, and green gear, eager to catch beads. A few years later, at age ten, I got to attend a

Hilltop Views • 28th November 2022

Second annual “Power to the People” discusses the intersection of race, incarceration

St. Edward’s University’s Black Student Alliance held its second annual “Power to the People” event, with this year’s focus on the intersection of race and incarceration. The main topic was “Justice for Us” and revolved around a panel of experts on the incarceration system. “We wanted to create an event that educated the community around social issues,” BSA President, Alexis Reed, said. This was the first “Power to the People” event with a focal point. Last year’s pilot, “Power to the People:

Hilltop Views • 24th October 2022

Students for Sustainability organize new initiatives, campaigns for on-campus sustainability

Students for Sustainability and the university’s Office of Sustainability offered multiple events to celebrate campus sustainability month this October. This fall season, SFS has been organizing and implementing sustainable alternatives on campus. On Sept. 28, for the “Eat Local” food challenge, SFS Garden Director Luke Tobias supplied Bon Appétit — the food service that is partnered with St. Edward’s — with fresh basil, kale and cilantro. Three months before the challenge, Tobias began plantin

Hilltop Views • 27th September 2022

Garden pathway project promotes accessibility on campus

The campus community garden is located behind Teresa Hall and also includes a place for compostable materials to be disposed. The gravel pathway starts at Teresa Hall’s parking lot. Behind Teresa Hall lies a garden with sprouting plants and Adirondack chairs surrounding a table supplying sunscreen and bug spray — this is the St. Edward’s University campus garden. It was created and is maintained by the student organization Students for Sustainability. Last school year, Disabled Students Organi

Hilltop Views • 13th September 2022

New certificate for Advanced Spanish in the Health and Helping Professions aims to break down language barriers

The second floor of Equity Hall is home to the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences, which oversees the social work and psychology majors — two fields the certificate is directed at. “We haven’t always been good at this,” associate professor and social work program director Laurie Heffron said about language justice. Language justice is the idea that every person should have the opportunity to use the language they feel most comfortable and empowered to speak in. The latest U.S. Census rep

Hilltop Views • 30th August 2022

Strategic Plan 2027 reinstates two varsity sports, introduces School of Health Sciences

Freshman Michelle Rodriguez, a forensic science major, studies in the John Brooks Williams – South building, home to the School of Natural Sciences. The new School of Health Sciences will be one of three science schools at the liberal arts university. This 2022-23 academic year marks the start of “Strategic Plan 2027: Destination University for a More Just World” – St. Edward’s University’s five-year plan. The development of SP27 began July 1, 2021, when Montserrat “Monste” Fuentes assumed the

Hilltop Views • 7th April 2022

Archives and Special Collections Department receives $16,000 grant to digitize university newspapers

Walking into the Munday Library, past the chess boards and rows of desktops, sits a windowed room on the left. The lights gently illuminate the space, drawing eyes toward the Heritage Edition of The Saint John’s Bible and the cases of nostalgic Hilltopper memorabilia. This is the Tocker Reading Room. The Munday Library does more than provide a space for students to study, learn and create; it’s also home to the extensive Archives and Special Collections of St. Edward’s University. The Universit

Hilltop Views • 3rd December 2021

Head baseball coach Rob Penders leaves St. Edward’s University

Penders head-coached at St. Edward’s University for 15 years. The Hilltoppers began their 2021-22 season on Feb. 4 at home against Eastern New Mexico. On December 3 at 10:08 a.m., President Fuentes released a statement informing the St. Edward’s community of a change in leadership within the St. Edward’s Men’s Baseball team. The email stated, “Effective immediately, Rob Penders will conclude his tenure as head baseball coach at St. Edward’s University.” Penders’ departure comes after a private

Hilltop Views • 1st December 2021

Student Amber Taylor discusses starting college in pandemic

A survey on the effects of COVID-19 on college students concluded that the pandemic brought negative impacts to higher education. student Amber Taylor struggled when taking in-person college courses for the first time as a sophomore. “Terrified” — that’s how sophomore Amber Taylor described jumping into in-person classes this fall semester after starting her college career virtually. Taylor, a political science and global studies double major at St. Edward’s University was robbed of a normal fr

Hilltop Views • 12th October 2021

Student-athlete files discrimination complaint against head baseball coach Rob Penders

Rob Penders joined the Hilltop in 2006 as the head coach of the men’s baseball team. The petition, made in an effort to terminate him from his role, is growing steadily. On Tuesday, Oct. 5, President Montserrat Fuentes sent out a community-wide email addressing the university’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. In the email, she referenced a “recent and confidential athletics personnel matter” and how this matter “necessitated a thorough and comprehensive investigation conducted by

Hilltop Views • 10th April 2021

Armed intruder spotted on main campus, shelter in place until further notice

AUSTIN, TX- On April 10 at 9:49 a.m., an armed intruder was spotted on the main campus at St. Edward’s University. University Police Department (UPD) and Austin Police Department (APD) have identified the intruder as a dark-skinned male, possibly Hispanic, with shaggy hair. The intruder is thin and was spotted wearing a white shirt with brown shorts, carrying what seems to be a rifle. He was last seen walking toward I-35 on Woodward near the wooded area of campus, around the Maryhill and Hilltop

Hilltop Views • 8th April 2021

OPINION: Substantial progress for women’s equality begins by removing machismo in the classroom

It’s Women’s History Month, and I think every month we should raise a glass to the women and women-supporters who helped us get to where we are today. Thank you for giving us a voice through our votes at the ballot boxes and for being the leaders we truly need in the world. Thank you to the women who made it acceptable for me to say, “One day, I’ll be the editor-in chief at The Washington Post.” It doesn’t sound too crazy because of the ceilings they’ve shattered and barriers they’ve tackled.

Hilltop Views • 7th April 2021

Q&A with SGA student body president, vice president candidates

(Right to left) Michelle Flores is running for the role of president with Bri Boughter who is running for vice president. Also on the ballot is Jae DeLeon for president, who is running with her counterpart Jay Perez, pictured in the laptop. It’s been a year of adaptations and adjustments for college students trying to navigate school and the pandemic. However, at St. Edward’s, one thing remains the same — Student Government Association election season. From April 5 through April 9, the student

Hilltop Views • 3rd April 2021

Learning in any situation: Lauren Louk reflects on her isolated senior year experience away from the Hilltop

It’s needless to say the past two years on the Hilltop have not been the ideal experience seniors hoped for. Both classes of 2020 and 2021 spent their senior years away from friends, alone in their apartments or struggling to share wi-fi with their families at home. Senior Lauren Louk, who will graduate May 2021 in a socially-distanced ceremony, shared her experience and advice on remote learning and internships. Business administration major and communications minor Louk felt she had a leg up

Hilltop Views • 3rd March 2021

Chinese Club publishes petition to save Chinese, Arabic courses after learning of department-level discussion

Chinese and Arabic are considered critical lanuages which have different alphabets. These languages are difficult to learn, which often discourages students from learning. On Mon. Jan. 15, the St. Edward’s Chinese Club posted a petition to Instagram in hopes of saving the Chinese and Arabic courses at the university. Although this is only a department-level discussion and there has been no official announcement, students and student leaders alike fear the potential cut of the programs. The dis

Hilltop Views • 27th February 2021

Nike Training Club app makes exercising personal and accessible

The Nike Training Club app offers a variety of lifestyle tips and workouts. The premium version of the app is now indefinitely free for all users. Exercising and staying healthy can be difficult enough; add the mental struggles of a pandemic and being stuck at home, and exercising seems next to impossible. Luckily, these two free apps make staying healthy fun and simple. In the first couple months of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nike Training Club app made the premium version of their popular fi

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