By Angel Ayala
Staff Writer
Cal State Dominguez Hills student Scott Martin has been honored with the 2017 Rotary Peace Fellowship Award.
Martin, currently earning his master’s degree in negotiation, conflict resolution and peacebuilding, is looking forward to the doors this opportunity opens for him.
“I was shocked and pretty humbled when I got this fellowship,” Martin said. “I’ve never been to Thailand before, so it will be a completely new experience for me.”
Martin achieved the award because of his ambition, talent and compassion, according to Rotary.
In winning the award, Martin has the opportunity to attend the University of Chulalongkorn in Bangkok. There, Martin will train to become an agent for peace.
During his career, Martin has completed an abundance of projects, and has also worked and lived in more than 50 countries.
When Martin was 17, he launched a landscape design business. As a landscaped architect and partner of The Workshop Group, he has had the opportunity to work in Dubai, India and many more locations.
Martin also received a great number of questions referring to his possible move to Thailand, where he will do his peace work full-time.
“As a fellow, my role will be assisting Rotary around the world,” Martin said. “Not necessarily just doing hands-on work, but talking to and training locals to empower themselves. to increase their capacity to be more effective at peace building and coalition-building.”
With the happiness, gratitude and support from family, friends and colleagues, Martin is able to pursue his passion.
Though Martin has not yet decided on his future, he does have a backup plan, which is to become a college-level educator, or turn into a full-time conflict resolution consultant.
“I find that when you are around like-minded people, it gets contagious,” Martin said. “My experience so far in life is that if you commit, opportunities present themselves.”
Martin will be arriving in Thailand in January, after training for three months to become a Rotary Peace Fellow.
There, he will strengthen his skills and learn how to serve as a leader back home and around the world.
