‘The epitome of perseverance and dedication’ 

At the close of each academic year, the University of Washington Bothell awards the Chancellor’s Medal to recognize a graduating student who has overcome significant obstacles or endured major burdens on the path to completing a degree and who has been a consistent source of inspiration for peers and faculty alike. 

In the face of loss, rejection and other personal struggles, this year’s recipient, Niveah Martinez, completed her bachelor’s degree in Computer Science & Software Engineering (with an option in Information Assurance & Cybersecurity) while demonstrating both positivity and determination. 

“Niveah truly embodies the qualities celebrated by the UW Bothell community and Chancellor’s Medalists that have come before her,” wrote Jessica Trenkamp, assistant director of advising, hiring and training, in her nomination letter. “I have observed her remarkable growth not only as a student but also as a leader, community advocate and an inspiration to others. Her story is a shining example of the opportunities available at UW Bothell that can help already exceptional student leaders thrive. 

“Niveah is the epitome of perseverance and dedication.” 

Being the first in her family 

Growing up in Washington’s Yakima Valley, Martinez was one of seven children. Her parents worked hard, but higher education was financially out of reach for both them and their elder children. Her parents never pushed the idea of college, but Martinez’s father sparked an early interest in STEM in her when he enrolled in trade school while building a house for the family. 

“I got to see his ginormous curiosity for technical processes and his love for sharing what he learned,” Martinez said. “Then, in high school, I really fell in love with STEM. My family is very creative, and I wanted to be creative in another way. I found math to be so satisfying, the way it all works. It just clicks.” 

In exploring this passion, Martinez said she felt deeply supported by the close-knit community around her, which raised funds for her to go after opportunities such as STEM camp. She took Running Start courses in high school and completed an associate degree from Yakima Valley College — becoming the first in her family to do so. She was interested in a career in coding but was unsure whether she wanted to pursue further education. Then, Martinez found UW Bothell, which seemed like the perfect fit. 

“I’ve always been a part of a small, tight-knit community,” she said. “When I was researching schools, UW Bothell seemed to have that sense of community, and they were big on first-generation support.” 

Overcoming multiple setbacks 

Going away to college was no small feat for Martinez, who was financially on her own and had to leave her family and local Mexican American community. Then, in her first year at UW Bothell, a cousin passed away. 

“Just knowing that there was youth, even in my family, who didn’t get the same opportunities I did, I knew I had to maximize every single thing I encountered here at UW Bothell,” Martinez said.

When she first applied to the CSSE program, Martinez was disappointed to discover she hadn’t been accepted. Undeterred, she worked harder in her classes — and took upper level courses and achieved better grades to prove she could earn her spot in the program — and even threw herself into extracurriculars. 

“Starting off as a first-gen student at UW Bothell, Niveah took no time to waste in getting involved,” said Dana Washington, community-engaged learning program manager, who first met Martinez through the Latino Leadership Initiative program, which she oversees. 

In the program, Martinez mentored both her peers and high school students to provide them with resources for college and career success. She was later hired as a student program assistant, and in that role, she grew the program from nine members to 31. 

“Her passion for community exemplifies the UW Bothell spirit and goals we want our students to accomplish,” Washington wrote in her nomination letter. “She is a beacon of light, leading her peers and community members to pursue all opportunities and mentor them toward their own success.” 

Making the most of school 

Martinez was also a member of the Women in Cybersecurity Club and the Women in Law Club — and took part in the Digital Scholars Program cohort, which provides a supportive community for students looking to gain marketable digital skills. Through UW Bothell’s Global Scholars, she then had the opportunity to study abroad in León, Spain. 

Dr. Michael Stiber, a professor in the School of STEM, led “Hacking the Future: Cybersecurity and AI in Spain” out of the UW León Center and served as a mentor to Martinez. Through an independent study with him, she developed a cybersecurity project to serve as a security consultant for the Latino Education Training Institute, where she has continued to volunteer her time helping to improve its operational security. 

“Niveah’s project to support LETI shows her fearlessness in the face of her own inexperience and that she has thought about her education and how she can apply it to benefit society,” Stiber wrote in his nomination letter. “She is an extraordinary UW Bothell student. She is a leader among her peers. She persists through obstacles. She is exactly the kind of student who makes me feel good about being a UW Bothell faculty member.” 

Off campus, Martinez mentored students in math and science through Upward Bound. She also became involved with two organizations that she continues with post-graduation: House of Wisdom, where she volunteers to teach front-end development to underserved you; and Mighty Coders, where she teaches kids to code. 

In all these roles, Martinez said she discovered her true passion: teaching. 

“Teaching is a unique feeling,” she said. “It’s like you’re talking to your younger self, and you can see yourself getting excited. That trait of empathy is so powerful in teaching, and I’m very grateful to have it. I’m excited for future generations. I can see so much ambition, drive and curiosity in them, and I hope to be there to support that.” 

Perseverance rewarded 

Martinez did not get into the CSSE program when she first applied, but with improved academic performance she was accepted in January 2025 — just in time to graduate in June. 

With encouragement from Stiber, she plans to pursue further education so that she can promote cybersecurity awareness and knowledge within underrepresented communities that often lack the resources to handle such threats. 

Her aim is also to be a source of inspiration for what others can achieve and to provide representation in new spaces as both a Mexican American woman and a first-generation student. 

“I haven’t had the privilege of just focusing on having school as my main priority. I’ve had to work hard and make time to network and try to leverage my place here,” she said. 

Her advice for future first-generation students? Do not give up. “I know it’s intimidating, and it seems hard, but there are people out there who want to take the time to help you and who have been in your shoes before. 

“Your experiences and your adversity are pillars to your success. I hope you learn to take advantage of them in your career and your education — and I hope to see you all right here with me.”