Joshua D. Martin
Joshua D. Martin, Ph.D., not only teaches Spanish as an assistant professor in the Foreign Languages department at Tennessee Tech University, he also does medical interpreting with a campus organization called Estar Sanos, which translates to "‘Being healthy.’”
The organization was started by Melissa Geist, a professor in the Whitson-Hester School of Nursing, to help the Spanish-speaking community in the Upper Cumberland stay informed about current vaccinations and how to stay healthy. Martin travels with them in case they encounter families who don’t speak any English.
Martin has German heritage, but he said he fell in love with Spanish when he took a class in high school at 15. At 16, he took a trip to Spain, which deepened his love.
“I just knew that I wanted Spanish to be a part of my life in some way,” said Martin. “I didn’t know how, but I knew I wanted it to be a big part of who I was.”
After Spain, he began to encounter people whose first language was Spanish. This gave him a different view of the world and strengthened his passion even more.
He said, “I think when you love something, you never leave it; it just stays with you.”
Martin is a Tennessean and a graduate of Tech before he went on to get a graduate degree at the University of Kentucky. Martin said that he returned to Tech because he loved his experience in Cookeville. He shared that Tech really helped him grow in his career and helped shape who he is today.
Martin expressed, “I believe in the mission of Tennessee Tech. So, to be able to be a part of that community and to be able to contribute back to that, was sort of like a dream come true.”
As a professor, watching students go do “cool and world-impacting things” drives him, as well as assisting students in critical thinking and helping broaden their worldviews. When Martin isn’t in class or grading, he enjoys running and reading. He also enjoys spending time with family and friends. He loves the outdoors.
“If I can be outside on a mountain somewhere, I’m the happiest person in the world,” Martin said.