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Meet Mario J. Martinez, a 2023-2024 Graduate Dean's Award recipient. Mario is a masters student majoring in Art History.

Please give a short overview of your research.

My research primarily focuses on modern and contemporary African Diaspora. I am also interested in artistic interventions upon the “archive,” representations of the body, and Feminist Disability Studies.

What made you choose to pursue your graduate degree here at Kent State?

I chose KSU for the institutional support (GTAship) and faculty that I am interested in working with (Joseph Underwood, among others).

What do you enjoy most about attending Kent State for graduate school? and/or What do you anticipate taking advantage of at KSU?

The wide range of topics that are explored in depth within each course, such as contemporary African art and ecocritical Asian art.

What are your future goals?

I aspire to become a curator with a community-based, socially engaged practice.

What does this award mean to you and how will it aid you?

This award is an affirmation of all the work I have done up to this point and it will support my future endeavors within my academic discipline (perhaps even fund a study abroad trip).