Paula Martin, the long-time executive director of the Harlem Center For Education (HCE) announced her retirement after nearly 47 years of service as in three of the city’s leading educational enrichment programs (Upward Bound, Talent Search and Educational Opportunity Center) serving middle and high school students and adults in the Harlem community. As one of this country’s leading educators and advocates for educational opportunity, Paula has been with the Harlem Center for Education (HCE) since 1985, as Executive Director, a position she has held for 34 years.
Under her leadership, HCE became an educational beacon for young, inner city middle and high school students providing much needed educational services in English, math and science, as well as offering college bound programs and advisement that helped thousands of young people and adults become the first in their families to obtain college admission and degrees.
Under Paula Martin’s leadership, HCE has served over 25,000 low-income youth from the East Harlem and inner city communities in their educational endeavors. Participants assisted by the program have enrolled in over 175 colleges and universities throughout the United States.
A graduate of Syracuse University, Paula began her professional career at Columbia University prior to joining HCE. She was the first female President of her regional association, Association for Equality and Excellence in Education (AEEE),and served on the COE Board of Directors for a number of years. Martin received AEEE’s Award of Excellence in 1984 and President’s Award in 1989. She also received the national association’s (Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) Walter O. Mason award, the COE top award in 2011. In addition, Paula is currently serving on the faculty of Sonoma State University as a trainer of TRIO program directors. She previously served as a trainer with the University of Idaho, University of Washington and COE.
Board chairman Lewis P. Jones said, “Paula Martin has worked tirelessly in the Harlem community and for the tens of thousands of young people who have come through HCE’s doors. She is highly respected for her leadership among elected officials, educational leaders and the students and families she has served over these many years. Paula is a dedicated friend and she will be missed.”