Mirta Martin Explained

Mirta M. Martin
President of Fairmont State University
Term Start:January 1, 2018
Term End:July 18, 2022
Predecessor:Maria Rose
Successor:Mike Davis
Order2:9th
Office2:President of Fort Hays State University
Term Start2:July 1, 2014
Term End2:November 23, 2016
Predecessor2:Edward H. Hammond
Successor2:Tisa Mason
Birth Place:Havana, Cuba
Alma Mater:Duke University
University of Richmond
Virginia Commonwealth University
Residence:Fairmont, West Virginia
Profession:Professor
Spouse:John N. Martin Jr.

Mirta Maria Martin (pronounced MEER-tah) (born June 18, 1960) is an American former educator who was the president of Fairmont State University from 2018 to 2022 and the president of Fort Hays State University from 2014 to 2016. Prior to Fort Hays State, Martin served as the Dean of Virginia State University's Reginald F. Lewis School of Business, a position she held from August 1, 2009 until June 30, 2014.[1]

Biography

Education

Originally from Cuba, Martin attended Duke University, where she graduated in 1982 with her bachelor of science in psychology and political science.[2] Ten years later in 1992, Martin received her master's degree from the University of Richmond, followed by her doctorate from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1996.[3]

Early career

After graduating from Duke in 1982, Martin worked in banking where she eventually became the Senior Vice President of First Union National Bank of Virginia.[4] After a little more than a decade in the banking industry, Martin became an associate professor of business at Averett University, where she served as the interim dean in 1995.[5] In 2001, Martin left Averett to become the Executive Director of the Management Institute and associate professor and dean of management development at the E. Claiborne Robins School of Business.[6] After a brief two years at the University of Richmond, Martin became John Tyler Community College's Special Assistant to the President and Executive Vice President and Executive Director of the Foundation for four years.[7] In 2009, Martin became the Dean and Professor for management at Virginia State University's Reginald F. Lewis School of Business.[8]

Fort Hays State University

On May 2, 2014, the Kansas Board of Regents announced Martin as Fort Hays State University's ninth president. Martin became the first female president in the university's history, as well as the first Hispanic president in the Regents system.[9]

Under Martin’s administration, the financial condition of FHSU and its ability to administer annual operating and capital budgets were excellent as evidenced by its cash reserves, low tuition, and its capability to manage most capital projects with no debt. FHSU’s bond rating was upgraded during 2016 to Moody’s rating of A1 Stable, at a time when the state of Kansas and many of its institutions were being downgraded.[10] Martin is also credited with a re-engineering plan that created the College of Science, Technology, and Mathematics (STeM);[11] the Honors Program;[12] and the first professional doctoral program - the Doctor of Nursing Practice.[13] To serve the needs of the emerging Hispanic population in Western Kansas, Martin launched the Hispanic College Institute, a program she had previously created.[14] Due to an aggressive enrollment management strategy, FHSU became the third largest university in the state with an all-time high enrollment of 14,658.[15]

On November 23, 2016, Martin announced she was stepping down as president, but continued to serve Fort Hays State as the Consultant to the President until June 2017.[16]

Fairmont State University

On October 19, 2017, Fairmont State University announced Martin as their next president, beginning January 1, 2018.[17]

Fairmont State University President Dr. Mirta Martin received the WVNews.com’s Educator of the Year Award for 2019. Martin, who became president at Fairmont State in January 2018, helped turn the university’s financial situation around over an 18-month time frame, leading to the institution seeing a $5.3 million increase in its net position despite the $3.87 million deficit she inherited.[18] As of June 30, 2022, Martin's leadership are heralded for the $20.5 million turnaround in finances, the 5.69 Composite Financial Index (up from 0.76 which she inherited). The University also has the largest days cash on hand. For her leadership, Martin was also named West Virginia's Wonder Woman in 2020. In 2021, she was highlighted by The PhD Program during Women's History Month.

Other work

While in Virginia, Martin served on various board including the Virginia State Board for Community Colleges and Virginia Latino Advisory Board, after being appointed by former Virginia governors, Bob McDonnell and Tim Kaine.[19] Martin was also a recipient of the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, given by the President of the United States.[20]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Llovio . Louis . VSU's business school dean shares grandmother's passion for education . Richmond.com . August 29, 2011 . June 17, 2016.
  2. Web site: New president - Fort Hays State University . Fhsu.edu . May 2, 2014 . June 18, 2016 .
  3. Web site: Wilder: Alumna named president of Fort Hays State University | VCU Alumni . Enews.vcualumni.org . July 2, 2014 . June 18, 2016.
  4. Web site: Fort Hays State welcomes new president . Leaderandtimes.com . November 1, 2014 . June 18, 2016.
  5. Web site: Speakers - Pittsburg State University . Pittstate.edu . May 2, 2014 . June 18, 2016.
  6. Web site: Racing Towards Diversity – Racing Toward Diversity - Winter 2014 : Jennifer Brown, Reggie Howard, Mirta Martin, Brian Moran And Charles Pittman Join Racing Toward Diversity Magazine Advisory Board . Bluetoad.com . June 18, 2016.
  7. Web site: Martin — 'personification of the American Dream' — named ninth president of FHSU (UPDATE) . Hayspost.com . May 2, 2014 . June 18, 2016 . June 23, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160623192333/http://www.hayspost.com/2014/05/02/martin-named-fhsu-president/ . dead .
  8. Web site: Fort Hays State University names new president - Wichita Business Journal . June 18, 2016.
  9. Web site: Mirta Martin named next FHSU president | Tiger Media Network . May 2, 2014 . Tmn.fhsu.edu . June 18, 2016.
  10. Web site: Moody's assigns initial A1 to Fort Hays State University's $30.5M Series 2016B Revenue Bonds . March 15, 2016 . thefreelibrary.com . March 21, 2022.
  11. Web site: New College at Fort Hays State gets a name . October 19, 2015 . www.fhsu.edu . November 21, 2022.
  12. Web site: Fort Hays State begins recruitment for new Honors College . January 23, 2015 . www.cjonline.com . November 21, 2022.
  13. Web site: Fort Hays State gains approval to offer first doctoral degree . May 21, 2015 . www.fhsu.edu . November 21, 2022.
  14. Web site: Fort Hays State begins recruitment for new Honors College . January 23, 2015 . www.cjonline.com . November 21, 2022.
  15. Web site: Fort Hays State becomes state's No. 3 school in enrollment . May 21, 2015 . www.tonganoxiemirror.com . November 21, 2022.
  16. Web site: President Mirta Martin Resigns | Tiger Media Network . Tmn.fhsu.edu . November 23, 2016 . November 23, 2016.
  17. Web site: Dr. Mirta M. Martin named next president Fairmont State University | News | Fairmont State University . Fairmontstate.edu . 2017-10-19 . 2022-11-16 . October 20, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171020084134/https://www.fairmontstate.edu/fsunow/fsu-front-page/dr-mirta-m-martin-named-next-president-fairmont-state-university . dead .
  18. Web site: Dr. Mirta Martin, leader of Fairmont State WV financial turnaround, is WVNews.com Educator of Year. Shaver. John Mark. December 26, 2019. WV News. en. 2020-02-04.
  19. Web site: Mirta M. Martin - Fort Hays State University . Fhsu.edu . May 2, 2014 . June 18, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160629133459/https://www.fhsu.edu/president/Mirta-Martin/ . June 29, 2016 . dead .
  20. Web site: Topeka pre-school literacy program cited among nation's best | Cjonline.com Mobile . M.cjonline.com . March 20, 2015 . June 18, 2016 . August 13, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160813012446/http://m.cjonline.com/news/2015-03-20/topeka-pre-school-literacy-program-cited-among-nations-best . dead .