Mirta Martin

Originally from Cuba, Martin attended Duke University, where she graduated in 1982 with her bachelor of science in psychology.[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]

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]

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]

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.[10]

On October 19, 2017, Fairmont State University announced Martin as their next president, beginning January 1, 2018.[11]

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.[12]