Elms College Appoints Two New Members to Board of Trustees

CHICOPEE — Elms College announced that two regional leaders have joined the college’s board of trustees.

Lydia Martinez-Alvarez

Lydia Martinez-Alvarez is the former assistant superintendent for the Springfield Public Schools system, and was the first person of Hispanic descent to hold this position. Her career in public education spanned more than 25 years and began in the mid-1990s as a substitute teacher at Samuel Bowles Elementary School. In 2003, she became superintendent of Springfield High School of Science and Technology, and in 2012, she began her tenure as the city’s assistant superintendent. Martinez-Alvarez holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Westfield State University and a master’s degree in teaching from Elms College. In 2019, she was named a Women of Impact by BusinessWest.

Pedro Sanchez Jr.

Pedro Sanchez Jr. is the president of BlueX Solutions, a consulting firm in Springfield specializing in leadership coaching. A bilingual speaker and entrepreneur, he empowers individuals and business leaders by deconstructing preconceived beliefs, identifying opportunities for growth, and nurturing their process of self-discovery. His client base includes companies from several industries, including manufacturing, event and studio production, nonprofit, and mental health. Sanchez holds a bachelor’s degree in theology from the Assemblies of God Theological Spanish Seminary in Springfield.