Ann Martgan
—Outstanding Alumnus of 2022
Martgan is a shining example of leadership, professionalism, and mentorship, in her mission to aid under-served communities, including the one she grew up in. With humble beginnings and unwavering family support, Martgan sought out opportunities through community explorer programs, after school activities and a local Girl Scout Troup. These programs helped Martgan develop her professional and personal skills and engage in the work force at early age while growing her family.
Martgan, who earned an EMT certificate from CHC, went on to complete two associate degrees and teaching credentials from local colleges, and obtained her bachelor and master’s degrees in emergency management from Grand Canyon University.
She has become a successful educator, published author, and community servant. She currently serves as EMS Operations Manager for the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.
Martgan continues to give back to Crafton and has even created an outreach day, partnering with the CTE departments, for the Girl Scouts of America. This event brings hundreds of young girls from under-served communities all over Southern California to Crafton every year to explore career paths in public safety and allied health fields where women are often under-represented.
Edwards works as a breast cancer specialist who assists patients with all aspects of the treatment trajectory from screening to diagnosis, through treatment including surgery and chemotherapy and to survivorship or palliation and is pursuing her Doctorate in Nursing at Loma Linda University.
Edwards shares that it was a challenge to return to school as a single mother in her thirties. “My start at Crafton was sudden and difficult. The process for application and financial aid was completely different than I remembered. I even had to relearn how to do research since everything was now online!” Edwards confessed.
In her opinion, Crafton serves as a great transition to higher education. She believes it is a safe haven for non-traditional students returning to school as adult learners, first generation students, and veterans. She credits her time at Crafton for preparing her for success as a graduate student and a specialist in the nursing field today.
Edwards commends the top-notch science classes at Crafton and expressed that Crafton graduates have an excellent reputation as being prepared for transfer to area universities. “Medicine, Nursing, Radiology and other highly impacted programs and fields require critical thinking and preparation that Crafton provides,” said Edwards.
Her advice to students trying to choose a college is to do research with specific goals in mind. Find out university requirements and find a college that can help you meet those expectations. “The right college leads to the right university and then the right career,” says Edwards.
In addition to her degree from CHC, Edwards holds a B.S. in Nursing from Loma Linda University School of Nursing graduating Cum Laude and is a member of Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing. We are proud to have Amanda Edwards as an alumnus of Crafton Hills College.
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