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Martin — ‘personification of the American Dream’ — named ninth president of FHSU (UPDATE)

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Mirta Martin
Dr. Mirta Martin

Hays Post

Dr. Mirta Martin has been named the ninth president of Fort Hays State University by the Kansas Board of Regents.

Martin, who currently serves as dean of the Reginald F. Lewis School of Business at Virginia State University, was named President Edward Hammond’s successor at a special Regents meeting Friday morning on the campus of FHSU. When her administration begins on July 1, she will be the first female president in the institution’s history.

Following the board’s announcement, Martin and her husband, John, were introduced to members of the FHSU and Hays communities during a reception.

“The future of the nation lies in the pursuit of academic excellence,” Martin said. “Progress is not possible without vision, leadership and trust. As your president, my priority is to enable you to become your best self.

“I believe my selection as president is an affirmation of the Regents’ and Fort Hays State University’s commitment to entrepreneurial leadership, opportunity, diversity and innovation,” she added.

Since 2009, Martin has been responsible for strategic and administrative oversight of the Lewis School. She is a professor of management and a member of the president’s cabinet. Prior to her current appointment, Martin served as special assistant to the chancellor of the Virginia Community College System (2009), was executive vice president at John Tyler Community College and executive director of John Tyler Community College Foundation, Chester, Va. (2005 to 2009), and served as associate dean of the Robins School of Business at the University of Richmond, Richmond, Va. (2000 to 2003), among other positions.

Martin has served as dean of the Reginald F. Lewis School of Business at Virginia State University since 2009. She has also held various higher education leadership positions throughout her career such as special assistant to the chancellor, executive vice president, and associate dean, among other positions.  Dr. Martin received her Ph.D. from Virginia Commonwealth University, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Richmond, and a Bachelor of Science from Duke University.

Dr. Mirta Martin is pictured at FHSU this morning after being named the university's next president. Photo courtesy FHSU University Relations
Dr. Mirta Martin is pictured at FHSU this morning after being named the university’s next president. Photo courtesy FHSU University Relations

A native of Havana, Cuba, she received her Ph.D. from Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, a master’s of business administration from the University of Richmond, and a bachelor’s degree from Duke University in Durham, N.C. In 2009, Martin was appointed to serve on the Virginia Council on Women; in 2010 she was appointed to serve on Virginia’s Commission on Higher Education Reform, Innovation and Investment; and in 2011 she was appointed as a member of the State Board for Virginia’s Community Colleges. She received the 2013 Metropolitan Business League Humanitarian Award for Educational Excellence, was a 2012 alumni inductee in the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, and in 2009 was acknowledged as the first female Hispanic dean in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

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Photo courtesy of FHSU University Relations

 

Hammond last year announced his retirement effective June 30, after serving the university since 1987.

“Selecting a president is about identifying the person that fits the university.  In assessing the candidates, we focused on who would embrace and enhance the traditions and achievements of Fort Hays State University,” said Fred Logan, chairman of the Kansas Board of Regents. “The Kansas Board of Regents is fully supportive of this new president and the direction she will lead Fort Hays State University into the future.

“Dr. Mirta Martin is the personification of the American dream,” Logan added. “She has been successful in every challenge she has ever faced. She will be successful at Fort Hays State University.”

The other four finalists for the position were:

The five finalists for the position are:

• Dr. Tisa Mason, vice president of Student Affairs at Fort Hays State University.

• Dr. Gregory Mosier, dean of the College of Business at the University of Nevada-Reno.

• Dr. Michael Droge, president of Park University in Kansas City, Mo.

• Dr. Tom Jackson Jr., vice president of student affairs at the University of Louisville. Jackson had accepted the presidency at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, S.D., earlier this week.

Check Hays Post for more on the story as it develops.

Big changes at FHSU

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One could argue the most influential person in Hays — possibly throughout northwest Kansas — in the last generation is none other than the university president.

Fort Hays State University President Edward Hammond, the longest serving president of a Kansas Regents university, will hang up his spurs at the end of this school year.

And the challenge to find someone to fill his echoes might seem insurmountable.

Ron Fields is news and information director at Eagle Communications.
Ron Fields is news and information director at Eagle Communications.

Since his arrival in 1987, Hammond has overseen the university through a period of significant growth. Innovation has been the mantra, with student body growth fueled by the creation of the Virtual College, which allows students from across the state, nation and world to further their education.

Partnerships overseas not only have helped bolster the university’s financial status, but also brought to the Hays community a welcome dose of diversity, mostly in the form of the Chinese students who chose the small-town Kansas life for their education.

From new dorms to in-the-works educational buildings, from the foundation center to sports facilities, Hammond’s tenure has been pocked by good-news announcements demonstrating the best of what strong leadership can provide.

With the departure of Larry Gould from the No. 2 position of provost, the top tiers of leadership at FHSU will have changed entirely by the end of the school year. And while Hammond will stay on for a time as an adviser, the direction of the university will be one of the most closely watched stories in 2014.

And the task of those charged with finding a replacement for Hammond is daunting.

A Regents-appointed committee includes Denis Miller, chairman of the FHSU Foundation board of directors; Robba Moran, a regent from Manhattan, formerly of Hays and wife of U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran; former regent Janie Perkins, Garden City; and Andy Tompkins, president and chief executive officer of the regents. Input from the student body and faculty also will weigh into the decision. The university and regents are being assisted by Washington-based AGB Search. The firm specializes in finding candidates for top-level administrative jobs in higher education.

Hammond’s tenure will be tough to top — his presence could be nearly impossible to replace. And as Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration continues to whittle away at budgets across the board, that presence protecting northwest Kansas will be ever more important.

The Hays community is bolstered by the university on one side, the hospital on the other. With the addition of the “other legs” of the economic stool — agriculture, energy, service, telecommunications — these institutions offer us a comforting protecting from the whims of the state and national economy.

Finding the next leader of FHSU is a critical decision, and one that will ripple through another generation. Here’s hoping the right person for the right job at the right place six standing in line waiting for that job interview.

Ron Fields is news and information director at Eagle Communications.

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