Martha Acosta-Pieters

Director of International Marketing 
Edmonds College

What inspired you to work in this field?
I think it was a natural progression. I was an international student for several years and when I graduated from university, I did my OPT in the office of international programs at Edmonds College. I wanted a job where I could help students like me who had plans and dreams for a U.S.-based education. I have been in this field for over 30 years, and I love what I do.

What are the challenges you've faced?
Being the first woman in the college history to hold the position of director of international marketing was a real challenge. I had very large shoes to fill after my predecessor left, and I felt like my job performance was always under a microscope. I had to prove myself and had to work really hard to gain recognition and respect from others on campus. I was doing all that while being a mom of two little ones so there were hard times, but I always had a supportive husband who helped anyway he could to support me in my career and at home.

What do you hope to achieve in the future?
I would like to inspire people to reduce waste in our landfills by repurposing and reusing items, spending less money buying “stuff,” doing away with things. There is too much waste in this country, and if I can inspire people through arts and craft, thrifting, and using community groups out there to trade things instead of buying. That is my goal for the future. I feel compelled to do my part to help reduce waste.

If you can give 1 or 2 pieces of advice to our prospective international students, what would it be?
•    Find out what your passion is, what makes you excited and fulfills you as a person, and find ways to do a little bit of that every single day. That will drive your decision of where to study and what field to choose. 

•    Once you are in the U.S., remember that this country offers many opportunities and that it is up to you to take advantage of what is being offered and available to you. Be curious, ask questions, research, participate, make friends, and embrace every moment of your experience. Get involved on campus and be active.