Martha D. Saunders, University President

Martha D. Saunders, University President, Dean, Provost, Professor of Communication, and upper education extraordinaire has spent a lifetime cultivating the professional career and community steward excellence that she now and has always been an active participant. Having won a long list of awards of excellence and accolades in community to administrative programs, Martha D. Saunders also has had time to enjoy some of the simpler things in life, such as saltwater fishing, kayaking, and gardening. To most, Saunders is known as nothing short of extraordinarily: as successful university president, savvy businesswoman, global traveler, student-centered educator, effective communicator, and proactive fundraiser. Martha D. Saunders has also been named Top 50 Businesswoman of the Year and other prestigious national awards.

Martha D. Saunders, Education Professional

What started as an avid and active interest in her own education as undergrad and then later, working towards a successful Ph.D.. became a passion for the process and the overall betterment of education. Martha D. Saunders studied at the University of Southern Mississippi for a Bachelor of Arts in French. Once successfully graduated, Saunders furthered her education with a Masters in Journalism from the University of Georgia; and then, culminated with a Ph.D in Communication Theory & Research from Florida State University. With this impressive educational background, Martha D. Saunders began her professional career at University of West Florida in 1984, as Instructor, then Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and finally as Professor of Communication. She also served as Coordination Director of Public Relations, Director of the Honors Program, Associate Dean, and Dean for the University of West Florida. In 2002, Martha went on to teach as Professor of Communication and serve as Vice President for Academic Affairs at Columbus State University. In 2005, Martha D. Saunders became Chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. From 2007-2012, Saunders taught as Professor of Communication at the University of Southern Mississippi, and also as University President. From 2012 to present, Martha D. Saunders has held the positions of Professor of Communication, and then, Provost, at the University of West Florida