Justin Martin ‘96, a successful business owner and lobbyist, is a proud Western Oregon University alumnus who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public policy and administration. During his time at Western, Martin gained valuable experience through internships that solidified his interest in government work. These experiences helped him realize that majoring in public policy and administration was the right choice for him.
After graduation, Martin has been advocating for his tribe, The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, for the past 28 years. In addition to his lobbying work, Martin also owns a vintage guitar store called Guitar Castle in Salem. Despite being music-related and not government-related, Martin has been able to apply what he learned in college to enhance his business operations.
Martin’s success as a non-traditional student who entered college after working in the workforce can be attributed to the guidance he received at Western. As a student at Western Oregon University, founded in 1856 and located in Monmouth, Martin benefited from the practical experience gained through internships while at Western. With approximately 4,000 students and being a mid-sized NCAA Division II institution with the majority of its students coming from Oregon, Western is known for its diverse student body that includes individuals from different backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. The university takes pride in offering a supportive and student-focused environment with faculty-led instruction that makes it the preferred campus in Oregon for those seeking an enriching education.
The flexibility of the curriculum at Western allowed Martin to succeed in his chosen career path. Today, he uses his skills and knowledge gained at Western to excel as both a business owner and advocate for his tribe.