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Even before Martha Redondo first stepped foot on the campus of Princeton Theological Seminary, she thought the institution was “magical.” Eight years later, she serves as Associate Director of International Enrollment and Program Services.
Ms. Redondo brings deep experience in higher education, counseling, and social work to her role at Princeton. Additionally, she spent the first two decades of her career supporting students and developing programs that strengthened their success. Martha bridges cultures, supports students, and fosters a welcoming environment for international scholars. She offers a warm, openhearted presence that eases a transition that, for many, is fraught with stress and unease. She welcomes the stranger.
I loved this place before I even came here. It was magical, and I wanted to be part of it.
At the start of her career, Ms. Redondo thought she would end up as a social worker. However, Martha encountered horrible situations that she could not endure for a lifetime. Yet she still wanted to be of service.
“You get to pick how you want to help people. I knew I couldn’t get too deep into these issues, or I wouldn’t be able to function in life. I still wanted to help. We all have gifts and virtues.” After a career pivot, Ms. Redondo found her niche and thrived.
She spent 16 years at Union County College, starting as a counselor, then moving into international student services. It was here that she managed a caseload of nearly 300 students across three campuses. “It was a beautiful mix of countries, ages, and ethnic backgrounds,” she recalls. From there, she moved to Mercer County Community College. There, she managed a federally funded healthcare training program for New Jersey’s baby boomers.
When the position opened at Princeton Seminary, Martha immediately felt like a natural fit. In fact, her prior work had prepared her well. “It’s an honor for me to work here. I feel like there’s a lot of need among our students,” and she meets those needs with love, empathy, and compassion.
In her time at Princeton, Ms. Redondo has seen exponential growth in the programs offered to international students. As an initial point of contact, she helps applicants navigate a sea of paperwork, international bureaucracies unique to individual countries, everchanging laws, and all the worries associated with leaving home.
“The programs have grown dramatically,” Ms. Redondo noted. “When I started here, it was a smaller group of international students. We had international students, as well as master’s level and PhD students. We’ve since acquired two new master’s level degrees, so we’re working with additional applicants and additional students.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Redondo noticed a sharp rise in applicants across all her programs. As a result, she began tracking new enrollment patterns closely. “That’s a great problem to have,” she notes. She works diligently to make sure each new student feels welcome and heard. She works closely with applications, visas, and social security processing for students who plan to work. Additionally, she guides them through each step.
Princeton welcomes exchange students from 45 denominations, 24 countries, and 35 states, including D.C. and Puerto Rico. Additionally, the seminary hosts up to 10 visiting presidential scholars each year. Moreover, the seminary acquired the Overseas Ministry Study Center, which helps international scholars advance their research. Throughout every season, Ms. Redondo prepares for new students with steady enthusiasm. Even when challenges arise, she meets them with unwavering energy and care.
Beyond the paperwork, she stressed, there is a strong pastoral element to the work done by her and the Global Services office staff, all of whom she considers indispensable.
Ms. Redondo is mindful that her new charges are often leaving spouses and children in their home countries. “You’re watching your children grow through FaceTime, and that’s hard.” However, she agreed that because the Seminary is a faith-based institution, they are particularly attuned to those needs.
One of the most visible aspects of Ms. Redondo’s role is the week-long welcome program her office hosts for all incoming international students. The orientation includes campus tours, practical guidance, team-building exercises, and guest speakers from different departments. “It’s about building community during that week but also making sure they feel informed and supported. It’s very intentional,” Ms. Redondo explained.
This is all so they can feel supported and loved. We do programs in different languages, and it’s really beautiful. People are so nervous at first, but then as they become more comfortable, you see more smiles.
She added, “By the end of the program, people are hugging and we’re bridging our differences. It’s really beautiful. It becomes very intimate.”
One touch of which Ms. Redondo is particularly proud is the flags displayed in Mackay Dining Hall representing the home countries of international students. They are a beloved symbol of the diverse community she helps cultivate. “That’s a touch they really appreciate,” she stressed.
Ms. Redondo’s work is not without its challenges. Nearly all international students receive significant scholarships, and funding limitations impact how many can be accepted. “Financially, Princeton Seminary offers very generous scholarships to almost every international student who gets admitted. We need to remain mindful of the budget and ensure that funds are allocated appropriately.”
Embassy delays for providing visas, travel bans from countries such as Myanmar and the Republic of Congo, as well as compliance issues when students do not return to their home countries, also prove challenging for Ms. Redondo’s office. Regarding the bans, “You have no options but to stay and pray and hope that that’s lifted.”
Noting that what these students bring, and what they leave behind, enhances her own perspective, Ms. Redondo offered with a genuine sense of gratitude. “When somebody of a different faith teaches us something about their faith, it doesn’t mean we have to agree with them, and it doesn’t mean we have to change our faith. There’s so much to learn, and there’s so much beauty. That is part of what I love about what I do. We have people coming from literally all over the world, with different perspectives.”
She added,
It’s so cool to welcome students and help them navigate the school. I don’t have all the answers, but I can help them and direct them to the right person, or call that person. When I see them graduate after whatever they’ve gone through, how wonderful is that?
Princeton Theological Seminary is a place of welcome, she observed. “Here, you still find a welcoming face. If you see someone lost on campus, or maybe not lost, but they look like they need assistance, people will stop and ask if they can help. That’s a beautiful thing. You feel respected. There’s a special place for you here.”
When asked how she would sum up her time at Princeton Theological Seminary, Ms. Redondo was direct. “We care so much. Whatever we’re able to do, we do it. I’ve found a home here.”
