Student Spotlight: Lia Martinez
By Tony Scott
Lia Martinez has a goal of starting her own nonprofit organization. (Photo provided by Lia Martinez)
Lia Martinez, a nonprofit and nongovernmental organization (NNGO) studies major, wants to start her own organization to help those in need. Participating in an NNGO studies internship program has helped her expand her educational experiences and has inspired her to give back.
Community-engaged internships are a tangible way NIU delivers on the Huskie Promise – combining experiential learning, career preparation and civic responsibility. Through the Huskie Promise, NIU commits to ensuring students graduate with the skills, experience and sense of responsibility needed to succeed.
Among the opportunities Martinez has taken advantage of is being a marketing intern for the Egyptian Theatre in downtown DeKalb in 2025, through an internship program that is a collaboration between the DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership, The Center for Nonprofit and NGO Studies and Career Services at NIU, supported by the Douglas C. and Lynn M. Roberts Family Foundation. This spring semester 2026 Martinez is currently serving as an intern in NNGO’s Huskie Closet, and is supported by NIU’s Day of Giving and fall crowdfunding programs.
Both have given Martinez incredibly enriching experiences that will help her professional and personal growth while at the same time supporting the greater community.
“My internship with the Egyptian Theatre was so much fun and I genuinely felt a part of the DeKalb community due to the work I was doing,” Martinez said. “It was exciting getting to interview performers and write articles for the website. I loved being able to interview someone, learn their story and sometimes see those shows as a volunteer. Seeing the community with smiles on their faces after a performance also gave me a warm fuzzy feeling that pushed me to give that internship my best.”
She added, “With all the insights learned from the behind the scenes in that internship and now working with the Huskie Closet, I am so excited to see where all that accumulated knowledge will be able to take me forward. I already have some ideas cooking so I’m excited to see where it takes me in my field and the positive impact it will make in our community.”
Martinez has had help from nonprofit organizations, and assistance from scholarships that have allowed her to continue her schooling. These experiences have inspired her to give back in her own way.
“My ultimate goal is to create my own nonprofit organization that provides services to people in need of food and housing security,” she said.
The challenges Martinez has faced within her own family, and the support they were shown, have moved her to be of service to others.
Martinez, whose father died when she was seven months old, grew up on Chicago’s northwest side with her mother and sister. Her family received survivors’ benefits, but when those ended in 2024, the family needed to move, which Martinez said was challenging.
Martinez said the family sought help from an organization that assisted them with maintaining SNAP grocery benefits and other basics.
“My mom’s dementia was also progressing faster than anticipated which made the situation feel very heavy,” she said. “Thankfully, PWP Health was able to help us maintain our SNAP benefits to at least help with food and figure out a solution. Eventually, with the help of our family I was able to move in with my sister and my mom moved in with her sisters and brother-in-law. The organization genuinely came to our rescue and have helped us through this situation.”
An NIU alumnus, Seleena Vilchez, '18, who is a friend of her sister encouraged her to apply to the university and pursue a degree.
“I will be the first within my little family of three to graduate from a four-year university and I’m very grateful to everyone that has helped me throughout this crazy journey,” she said.
It was because of generous donors that Martinez was able to attend and continue her schooling. Beyond finances, she was able to find a supportive community at NIU.
“Coming from a background of not always having funds for some things, I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to cover the cost of college, but NIU has supported me in ways I didn’t expect,” she said. “I have been able to find a place where I have wonderful friends, great professors that push and support my professional goals, options for internships, jobs, and other opportunities, and a place I feel at home.”
Martinez is grateful for those who have given and continue to support students like her.
“You provide a great and necessary service for people that otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to attend NIU and find opportunities beyond school,” she said. “I can say with certainty that any donation provided for students will help them! I am living proof of this fact. I am so grateful for the donors that have helped make all of my successes possible for me and I know future students will as well!”
Martinez aims to earn her Bachelor of the Arts degree in 2027.
To help Huskies like Lia achieve their goals, please visit the NIU Forward website.