MIRTA M. MARTIN, Ph.D. was named the thirteenth president of Ferrum College in October 2023 after serving ten months as interim president. A native of Havana, Cuba, and an immigrant to the United States, Martin uses her interpersonal and cultural expertise to promote access to affordable educational opportunities.
Martin holds baccalaureate degrees in psychology and political science from Duke University; a Master of Business Administration from the University of Richmond; and a doctorate with an emphasis in strategic management and leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has extensive public and private sector expertise in strategic planning, marketing and brand identity, crisis management, finances, budgeting and risk mitigation, stakeholder relationship management, program innovation, and funding.
Prior to her arrival at Ferrum College, Martin served as president of Fairmont State University from 2018–2022, and Fort Hays State University from 2014–2016. Martin also served as the dean of Virginia State University’s Reginald F. Lewis School of Business from 2009–2014.
Martin is active in many educational, civic, and charitable organizations, including serving as a Director for the Americas of the International Association of Universities (a UNESCO official partner), Racing toward Diversity Board, American Council on Education Women’s Network Executive Council, the Roanoke Regional Chamber and the co-chair of the DEI Committee for the Blue Ridge Partnership for Health Science Careers (BRPHSC). She is one of the Founding Members of the Virginia Latino Higher Education Network (VALHEN), and of the Hispanic College Institute (HCI). Martin also served in the NASA WV Space Grant Consortium, and president of the West Virginia Council of Presidents and of the Mountain East Conference (MEC), the Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council (ATAC) in the Northern District of West Virginia, and the West Virginia Cybersecurity Workforce Advisory Council.
For her leadership, Dr. Martin has received numerous awards, among which are the Metropolitan Business League Humanitarian Award for Academic Excellence, the RichTech Technology Innovation Deployment Award, The Hispanic College Fund Legacy Award, and the Presidential Volunteer Service Award from the President of the United States. She was also selected 2019 West Virginia Educator of the Year, and one of 2020 West Virginia’s Living Wonder Women. Most recently, Dr. Martin was selected as one of the 2023 Persona de Poder (Person of Will and Power) in recognition of her work to advance and develop Virginia’s immigrant and Latino communities.
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice appointed Dr. Martin to the Blue Ribbon Commission on Four-Year Higher Education. Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell appointed Dr. Martin to the Virginia State Board for Community Colleges and to the Commission on Higher Education Reform, Innovation, and Investment. She was appointed by former Governor Tim Kaine to serve on the Virginia Council on the Status of Women.
Dr. Martin is married to John N. Martin, Jr., PE, a Richmond native. They have two children, Katherine B. Martin, Ph.D., and Patrick N. Martin, MSB, MSREI.
