By Connor Martin, MSOL

My name is Connor Martin and I am a first-generation college student.

My story begins in Hartford, CT where my brother Caleb and I were raised by a single mother, Lisa. Throughout my teen years our family suffered from substance abuse and alcoholism. During high school we moved to East Hartford where I have now spent most of my life. After graduating from Sport Medical Science Academy, a CREC magnet high school in Hartford, I enrolled in Central Connecticut State University.

I was pursuing a degree in construction management and civil engineering. Unfortunately, having fully embraced the on-campus lifestyle, I neglected to do my work and my grades suffered. A year and a half later I landed myself on academic probation and was eventually kicked out of CCSU.

Ashamed, embarrassed, and stuck with a boat load of student loans, I dusted myself off and enrolled in Goodwin University’s Business program. At the time I was also working at Goodwin University on the grounds crew taking care of the grounds of Goodwin’s properties. Knowing that I wanted to do more with my life, I worked hard to move up the ladder within the facilities department, eventually becoming the Director of Grounds Keeping and Fleet Maintenance. A benefit of working at Goodwin and going to school at Goodwin was getting your tuition paid for, so I decided to continue my education.

I had been at Goodwin for about 15 years at this point and wanted to explore other industries — especially local government, where I was elected to a Town Council for East Hartford. However, I didn’t have the experience, nor did I have the education, to make the move into government. This motivated me to pursue not only my bachelor’s in management, but also my master’s in Organizational Leadership, in which I finally graduated in 2019. I was the first in my family to earn a college-level degree.

Fast forward to 2020 when COVID hit and, as essential workers, we were required to continue to work no matter the shutdown. Unfortunately, I also lost my younger brother Caleb to a heroin overdose that same year. It was an incredibly tough year for my mom and our family. Much of my lived experience would shape who I am and prepare me for my next chapter in life.

In 2021, having been in local government for some time, I knew I wanted to do more and make a positive impact in my community. I knew I wanted to run for Mayor. The opportunity of a lifetime came knocking when I was offered the Chief of Staff position to my predecessor, Mayor Mike Walsh. Mayor Walsh decided within his first term not to run for re-election. So, I took the leap of faith, campaigned, and in November of 2023 I was elected as the youngest and first person of color to hold the Office of Mayor in the Town of East Hartford.

I constantly say as Mayor that I represent the most ordinary resident — one who makes mistakes, picks themselves up, and tries again, working everyday to be a better person. I also attribute much of my success to the experience and the people who helped me along the way at Goodwin. I always say I am example of the success you can obtain coming out of Goodwin University.