Mirta Martin
Mirta Maria Martin, Ph.D., (pronounced MEER-tah) (born June 18, 1960) is an American educator who is the current president of Fairmont State University. Most recently, Martin served as the president of Fort Hays State University. 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. Biography. Education. Originally from Cuba, Martin attended Duke University, where she graduated in 1982 with her bachelor of science in psychology. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. In 2009, Martin became the Dean and Professor for management at Virginia State University's Reginald F. Lewis School of Business. 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. On November 23, 2016, Martin announced she was stepping down effective immediately due to personal reasons, but continued to serve Fort Hays State as the Consultant to the President until June 2017. Fairmont State University. On October 19, 2017, Fairmont State University announced Martin as their next president, beginning January 1, 2018. 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 $1.9 million deficit she inherited. 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. Martin was also a recipient of the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, given by the President of the United States.