Faith in Action: Rashaun Martin’s Journey from Student Leader to University Trustee

Rashaun Martin is a member of the Class of 2001, graduating from Catholic University with a B.A. in history. During his career, Rashaun served as a middle and high school teacher, history department chair, and Catholic school principal. Currently, Rashaun is the managing director of recruitment, cultivation and diversity programs at Boston Public Schools. He is also deeply involved at Catholic University as a Board of Trustee member and Cardinal Ambassador, while previously serving as president of the University’s Alumni Association.
 

Bill Lennert
Welcome, Mr. Martin. I appreciate you coming out to do this interview with us.
 

Rashaun Martin
Oh, thank you. Honored to be here.
 

Bill Lennert 
You have a long history of service as a student, former president of the Alumni Association, ambassador, and currently as a board of trustees at The Catholic University of America. Tell us what brought you here to Catholic University.
 

Rashaun Martin
I had grown up in Boston in a very large Catholic family. But no one had gone to Catholic school—or at least to my knowledge, certainly not my parents or my grandparents. And so I really thought I would enjoy going to a Catholic college, because I was very much involved in the Church as a kid growing up.
Living in Boston, I thought going to college in another major city would be fun too. One of those cities that I decided I'd look into would be Washington, D.C., and that's what then initially caused me to find the Catholic University. I was looking for something of a medium size—a place where I thought I could run into a new face because it was large enough, but small enough to where I could really build some authentic relationships with my schoolmates, and even with the staff and the administration, because that was the experience that I had growing up in my high school.

So I applied, got accepted. And it was my pastor at the time, Father Jerry, who said, "You probably should go visit." So the church put me on a train, I got off at Union Station, found Catholic on the red line, and came on over to the campus for the accepted students Cardinal Preview—or whatever we were calling it back in 1997.

All I was interested in were the people. I thought I could study politics or history anywhere—even though Washington, D.C. would be cool to do it —I could live anywhere. I was the first one going off to college, but I wasn't afraid of being away from home. I just was interested in the people. 

From start to finish that day I was here; really two days because it was an overnight at the time, either Friday to Saturday or Sunday, something to that effect—the people were amazing. From the administration to the faculty, to the staff, all the way down to the students. I had just encountered some of the nicest people I'd ever met, who were full of energy, who were excited to be here at the university, who were excited about the Church and about the faith. I just thought that was the coolest thing.

And so after I visited a couple other places, I said, "I have to go to the Catholic University." And I remember saying to some folks—I think even some of the staff while I was here—I said, "If I come here, I'm gonna make a difference at this University. I promise you that."
 

Bill Lennert 
So how do you feel like you made a difference at the University?


Rashaun Martin
I was honored to get an opportunity to participate in the life of the University—something that I think Catholic really provides students, if they want to do it.
I did campus ministry all four years, which was great. I think I would've done it anyway, but when I found out I could also do it as a work-study, even better. I did residence life—I was an RA for two years. I also participated in student government all four years, and got elected to office three times out of those four years, including becoming the student government president at the end of my junior year.

So just being able to support the students, to help the University grow—I feel like it was really a turning point. We were one of the largest classes at the time as incoming freshmen, and I think we were really galvanized by that. At least for me, I did everything I could to make this University a great place, because I knew that there was just something unique about this school.  I thought—if the right students, or if anyone who came to school here that was looking for a place where they could grow in their faith but also have an opportunity to serve—I wanted to be sure that the institution was in a position to allow kids to be able to do that, while at the same time having that enjoyable college undergrad experience that I think everybody is hoping for.
 

Bill Lennert
I understand you were instrumental in establishing a new official class ring for the University.
 

Rashaun Martin
Yeah, I was walking through campus—actually, the University Center, which is now Father O’Connell Hall—and ran into the archives folks, who were in the lobby. They had all of the collegiate rings that you could purchase on display. I went to a traditional public high school growing up, and so we also had an official ring, which I had owned, coming from the Boston Latin School. So I just walked up and asked the salesperson—I looked into the box and said, "Which one of these rings is the official Catholic University ring?"

And she says, "What do you mean?"

I said, "Which one is the ring that is the official ring for the University?"

And she says, "We don’t really have one."

And I said, "What do the kids usually do?"

And she said, "They pick one out and we’ll put your year on and your degree, and the athletes might put some of the athletic symbols on their ring."
And I just thought to myself, "This is The Catholic University of America, and it seems to me that we should have an official University ring."

I went to Father O’Connell, as I intended to do if I had any kind of idea about what we should be doing at the University. He never turned me away, which was great. And I just mentioned to him that we should have an official ring.

I’m not sure if he knew that we didn’t have one either. Probably had bigger fish to fry at the time. So he sent me off to the then chief of staff, Vincent Walter, to inquire. And we decided to put together a small committee, which included myself, to design what became the official University ring.

We designed it after the bishops, and that’s why it’s flat and oval, which I think is great. And we put the seal and the University motto on the ring. We launched them, I believe, in the spring of 2000. I was a junior, and we had a ring ceremony where Father O’Connell came and presided over a little Mass and blessed the rings before they were distributed. The original rings came, and the Latin was in the wrong order, so we had to send them back to be replaced.
I was mortified, but we wanted to make sure that it was correct. And as far as I know, it still holds. I think I’ve run into a good number of alums who, over the last 25 years, are now wearing the University ring.

So it’s a real proud little ”claim to fame” that I have. But I think the biggest thing for me was that it just showed the willingness on the part of Father O’Connell, as the University President, to constantly engage the students in terms of what we might be interested in to improve the university.
I just think that was great, and it really said something about him as a leader. But I think it also said something about the institution—that you were able to, quote-unquote, “get to the top” if you wanted to.

And he was always around, he was always present. We’d see him randomly—if he was walking through the dorm, if we were hanging out in the student lounge—he would just stop and have a seat, maybe share some popcorn, whatever we were watching, and then he’d just get up and keep moving.
And sometimes he wouldn’t even say anything. His presence alone was enough. And then he’d keep moving. And I just thought that was so cool, and it was a true blessing.
 

Bill Lennert 
What did you take away from your experience here at Catholic University?


Rashaun Martin
I would say that I had served, especially growing up in the Church as a kid before I came to the University. But I think the University experience really allowed me to grow in the importance of service—especially service to others and service of those less fortunate—and truly connect with the mission of the Church. And it also gave me an opportunity to learn how to do it and to have this academic experience and to have this social experience all tied in with this idea of doing good.

Participating in or providing these sort of corporal works of mercy was really a transformational experience. I think the University really taught me—and hopefully a lot of us—that whatever we decided to do after our time here, it was going to be vocation-centered. That we just weren’t gonna go out and get a job and make money.

Whatever work we were gonna do, it was going to truly be a vocation. So when I decided to go into public education and become a teacher, I left with a history degree and went to teach history back in Boston, actually at my high school.

First of all, I had learned so much history while I was here. Professors were so good, and they just threw everything they possibly knew about the historical record—for the United States, for the world, but also for the Church—and we just ate it all up.

But then also this kind of mission-centered approach that I had. And I think it came from being able to study philosophy and religion and just really be able to think about the world and be mindful of the people that are in it. I got all of that from the CatholicU.
 

Bill Lennert
It sounds like you really took the teachings and values you experienced at Catholic University and applied them to a service-driven career. Has service always been a part of your life?
 

Rashaun Martin
I think every professional opportunity I’ve had, it’s been service-driven, it’s been make-a-difference-driven. When I think about even one of our subtle mottos of “In service to Church and Nation,” I think I truly learned what that meant here at the University.

And the University really believes in it—even when it might not be popular, I think the University still and always has believed in it. And then the whole philosophy around faith and reason, and how to be able to put the two together. And then in terms of encouraging us to do it all while we were here at the University.
If the mission of the Church itself is about service, and about taking care of those less fortunate, about doing what is right in the world and for the world and with the world, the University, as the Church’s official university, really is committed to that mission.

And I think they doubled down in it. And that certainly was my experience in my four years. And I’m thrilled now, as an alum and as a trustee at the University, that it’s still committed to that. And in fact, I actually even think it is even better at it now, 25 years later, than it was at the time I was a student.
 

Bill Lennert
You’re one of our many many success stories as alumni. Walk us through your career after you graduated?
 

Rashaun Martin
When I left the University, I became a teacher. I taught middle school and high school history, social studies, and government… I did that for about nine years. Then I went into education leadership—department head, school principal—and then to the school department, first on the academic side, and now I basically do human resources.

But all throughout that career, it’s really been service-driven. So with the students, it’s been about helping—not only helping them learn but also trying to help them become good people. And in whatever I was able to teach you about the past, how can you use it to make the world a better place today?
And maybe some of that history that shouldn’t repeat itself doesn’t repeat itself. And some of the things that, you know, historically have helped move the world forward—let’s try to continue those things. And that was always my message for my students.

And then as I got into administration, I really just took that same message but now was relaying it to the adults. So even though my current work is trying to figure out how we continue to get people to still want to come into education—especially public education—and give them the tools that they need to be great educators, and then how do we have enough resources and programs and supports for the educators that we do have, to make sure that they’re able to not only grow in the profession but to also remain in the profession.

It’s all been service work. It’s all been make-a-difference work. And I’ve been honored to have the opportunity to do it.
 

Bill Lennert
Speaking of making a difference, you continue to give back to Catholic University. You’ve come back to participate and lead in a number of roles as an alumni. Can you take us through that progression?

Rashaun Martin
Ever since I was a young alum, I basically have leaned into everything that the University has invited me to participate in. I think for the better part of 17 years, I participated in some way or another on the alumni Board of Governors, which is now the Board of Directors, in support and service to our Office of Alumni Engagement and our Office of University Advancement—even getting to the point where I was privileged to have been elected to be the Alumni Association president, which was a real honor.

Just when I thought I potentially was going back to civilian alumni life, I got nominated and appointed to the University Board of Trustees, on which I currently sit—which is really one of the highest honors, to be given the opportunity to serve and support the University at such an important level. But I also have never forgotten where I came from, in terms of the on-the-ground service that I think the University needs—especially from our alums.

This opportunity to be a Cardinal Ambassador has been great. I’ve loved the few chances I’ve had so far to be able to represent the University at different recruitment fairs and admissions events, to be able to talk to parents and families about why they should choose the Catholic University.

I came and participated in Cardinal Preview Day, just to talk to kids and parents about why they should come to the University, and will continue to do that as much as I can. I enjoy just being part of the community. I enjoy being a presence and promoting the institution in every way I can.

It’s truly a home away from home for me. Any excuse to come to the CatholicU—I’m here. It’s a very comfortable and safe space, and I just personally love it. And I hope the majority of the students who pass through these doors over the course of their lifetime will be able to say the same.
 

Bill Lennert
What does it mean and take to be a Cardinal Ambassadors and why is it worthwhile?
 

Rashaun Martin
I think one of the most tangible ways that we can help the University—when we talk about time, talent, and treasure—is to be able to tell perspectives, especially young people and parents, who may either not have heard or not know much about the University. But as an alum, you have experienced it—maybe good, bad, or indifferent.

If you had a great experience here—and I’ll argue that I think that’s the great majority of us—then this unique opportunity to be an official ambassador, to widen the promotional army for the institution, is just a great opportunity. It allows the face of the University to be in as many places as possible.
And when you’re an alum being an ambassador, you volunteer. You decided to support and promote your University to kids and families to consider attending. No one is paying you to say all the good things that you’re out there saying about the institution—and I think that’s great.

Ultimately, should you find out or come across a student who is currently enrolled—or who has applied, been admitted, currently enrolled, and then hopefully eventually graduates from the University—that you spoke to, or that you emailed, or you called, or you sent the postcard to at some point along that journey, then you’ve made that singular difference in the life of the institution.

And I think all of us—if we can get one more student or family to consider coming to Catholic University, as opposed to going somewhere else—then you actually would’ve made just as much of a difference as an alum than any other sort of contribution you could have made. Because that student or family’s investment in the institution because of you is equal to any investment that you could have made yourself.
 

Bill Lennert
I understand you applied that theory to your own family with your niece.
 

Rashaun Martin
I certainly encouraged my niece to think about and apply to the University as she was building her list. And I think as we had more conversations about it—and my whole family, for that matter, constantly knows how loud and proud I am about this school—it slowly began to move up her list.

Especially as she was admitted, it’s one of those things—when I think about my niece, who I have been thrilled to watch immerse herself into the life of the University, and she’s on the swim team—I truly thought that Catholic would be a great fit for her, and for a lot of the same reasons why I came.

It’s given her the opportunity to continue to maintain and grow in her faith. She was involved in church as a high school kid. An opportunity to thrive as an athlete—I think sometimes without the undue pressures of being in a Division I setting, but still being able to have a true scholar-athlete experience. And to be around what I knew would be nice people, because I think she really was looking for that and really needed that while she was in high school.

And I think she ultimately found her people. And I wanted to be sure that that continued in college. And I think that’s what you get here, by coming to the Catholic University.

And I actually have been driving that of late. Because I do think that—considering the current state of society, no matter how you feel about it or are connected with it or disconnected with it—I do think kids and families are looking for safe spaces and looking for nice, thoughtful people. And I think the Catholic University has that.

I think we’ve always had it, but I think even more so now, because we do what we do so well. It’s really something that I think kids and families need and are looking for. And I think we can capture that.

And I’ve been telling students and families of late that if you’re looking for that kind of environment, the Catholic University is the place to be.
 

Bill Lennert
I’m sure your niece has experienced some cherished moments here. Speaking of, what is your most cherished moment here at The Catholic University of America?
 

Rashaun Martin
That’s a good question. I was talking about it over the weekend with Father Aquinas, who’s now the University chaplain. I’d say I miss Campus Ministry the most. So I don’t know if I have a singular or cherished moment, because I had so many great memories.

But I do know what I miss the most—and what I miss the most is the ministry. I went to Mass all the time while I was here, not because I felt like I had to, but it was just so enjoyable and it was always available. And it was just such a faithful experience in such a variety of ways.

Not only being able to worship with my classmates, but also to get even a more traditional experience from the Shrine—whether it was small Masses with two or three people, or you went to one where there were several thousand—you just got to experience the breadth and the depth of the Universal Church.
The retreats, and the homeless food runs, and the adoration, and the praise and worship, and just all the different ways that you’re able to engage with the faith—all driven by Campus Ministry. I think that I watched what my grandparents did, but didn’t really know it was a thing until it was presented to me and encouraged me to participate—as a University.

Because it was just there. It was grassroots. I mean, no one hit you over the head to drag you to do anything. The University just said, “Hey, we’re a community of believers. We’re a faith-driven student body. The Church is here—come participate.” And I was drawn to it.

And so that’s what I miss the most. And I’m thrilled that Campus Ministry here is as strong as it is and how much it has expanded, with the student ministers and the chapels all around the campus—including my own dorm room that was in the basement of Flather Hall and is now a chapel.

Yeah, I guess if I had to answer in terms of something I cherished, I cherished having Campus Ministry here and the opportunity to not only be ministered to but then to also be part of the ministry. And I’ll be forever grateful for that.
 

Bill Lennert
Congratulations, it sounds like you're continuing that faith and those values both in your personal life, career, and commitment to Catholic University.   
Thank you for your dedication to the University and taking the time to speak with us.
 

Rashaun Martin
It's my pleasure. Thank you.