From Advocate to Executive: How Dr. J’Vann Martin Leads with Reflection, Renewal, and Resilience at College Track New Orleans
For Dr. J’Vann L. Martin, education isn’t just a profession—it’s a calling. As College Track New Orleans’ Executive Site Director, she embodies the belief that education is the passport to the future and possibilities. Her story is deeply rooted in family, resilience, and a commitment to transforming lives through access and opportunity.
1. What brought you to College Track?
J’Vann Martin: My journey to College Track is both professional and deeply personal. I was first introduced to College Track as a school leader in post-Katrina New Orleans, during a time when the city’s education system was rebuilding from the ground up. Even then, I recognized the power of an organization committed to ensuring students not only access college but also persist through completion.
That connection later became deeply personal when I became the steward of my cousin Christian’s educational journey. I was intentional about ensuring she had access to the best opportunities available—one of which was applying to and enrolling in College Track. Christian became the first in her family to graduate from college. Today, she is a registered nurse, a wife, and a mother. Her journey is a reflection of what is possible when access, support, and belief come together—and it continues to fuel my commitment to this work every day.
2. Who was a powerful mentor in your life?
Dr. J’Vann: My mother, a first-generation college graduate and lifelong educator, is my greatest mentor.
My mother was one of 11 siblings and the first to graduate from college. Her example showed me that education isn’t just a pathway—it’s liberation. Because of her persistence, I earned my doctorate, and my brothers became a pediatrician and a pharmacist. That ripple effect started with one decision: to pursue education.
3. Why is it important for College Track to have a presence in New Orleans?
Dr. J’Vann: New Orleans is a city of heart and resilience, but it has faced deep inequities in education. Post-Katrina, families were displaced, schools were restructuring, and access became urgent. College Track ensures that first-generation and under-resourced students have more than access—they have the tools, networks, and confidence to persist and graduate.
4. How can we continue to empower scholars?
Dr. J’Vann: Empowerment starts with belief, but it must be backed by action. We must create safe, affirming environments and also connect scholars to real-world opportunities—internships, mentors, career pathways. Access and exposure are game changers.
5. What excites you most about leading this site?
Dr. J’Vann: My theme for the year says it all: Reflection, Renewal, and Resilience.
These three words define our work. We reflect on where we’ve been, renew our commitment to scholars, and remain resilient through challenges. My goal is to strengthen systems, deepen engagement, and ensure that our scholars don’t just enter college—they thrive there and beyond.
6. What’s your hope for every scholar who walks through these doors?
Dr. J’Vann: That they leave knowing their power. I want them to see themselves as more than their circumstances—as leaders, innovators, and changemakers who will break barriers for generations to come.
About College Track New Orleans
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