The principle, “Leave things better than you found them,” perfectly describes Martha Saunders’s tenure as president of the University of West Florida.
Saunders, who has been UWF’s leader since 2017 and is the longest-serving president in the State University System, announced Monday, she was stepping down from the post.
During her time as president, she championed the creation of more than 20 new academic programs, including offerings in cybersecurity, mechanical engineering and an Intelligent Systems and Robotics Ph.D. program in collaboration with the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition.
To those who know and work with Saunders, she is so much more.
“Dr. Saunders was an exceptionally fine administrator and equally fine academic. We both studied communication as a vocation, and she was exceptionally fine teacher,” recalled Jerry Maygarden, a former Pensacola mayor, city council member and member of the Florida House of Representatives.
“We team taught a course last term, sharing the teaching load. She paid attention to detail and had a keen interest in the students. She is going to be tremendously missed by faculty, staff and students, I hope she will return to the faculty going forward but that remains to be seen.”
University of West Florida: President Martha Saunders resigns
Maygarden also noted the university’s enrollment growth under Saunders’s leadership. Defying national trends, UWF achieved record enrollment every year since 2021 − a 14% increase over the past five years.
“We’re nearing 15,000 students, that’s larger than the University of Notre Dame in Indiana,” Maygarden said. “We’re in the Panhandle − an area not associated with a large population − surrounded by the state of Alabama and the Gulf of America, and still experienced steady growth with her as the leader.”
Alonzie Scott, who serves on the UWF Board of Trustees, said Saunders will likely be remembered as one of the university’s best presidents.
“I came on board almost seven years ago, and we’ve seen enrollment increase every year, not one year, but every year of Dr. Saunders’s presidency,” he said, echoing Maygarden. “We’ve also launched the engineering program, and our campus housing is in the 90th percentile for student occupancy – nationwide.”
Scott also spoke about the growth of the university’s intercollegiate athletic programs, which are among the best in Division II.
“She’s also hired exceptional faculty and staff members, who are focused on helping students get jobs when they graduate or become entrepreneurs,” Scott said, adding Saunders’ replacement will have some big shoes to fill.
Some other UWF achievements under Saunders tutelage include:
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UWF becoming a top-performing public university in the Florida Board of Governors performance-based funding metrics
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Spearheaded the establishment of UWF’s Center for Cybersecurity
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Oversaw the development of Florida’s first bachelor’s in cybersecurity degree program designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity by the National Security Agency and U.S. Department of Homeland Security
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The launching of a civil engineering program this fall
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Construction of the Darrell Gooden Center, the Lab Sciences Annex and the Sandy Sansing Sports Medicine Center
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Ranking in the top 15 public regional institutions in the South by U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges for five consecutive years
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Multiple national military-friendly institution designations
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Grown UWF’s investment pool by 50%, providing financial stability and opportunities for future growth
Under Saunders’s leadership, UWF also has met or exceeded every performance standard set by the state, said Sen. Don Gaetz.
“UWF graduates have the best chance to obtain employment over any other higher education institution in the state. All of that is because of Martha Saunders’ commitment and capability. She leaves the University of West Florida in triumph,” Gaetz said.
Scott agreed.
“Whoever comes in behind Dr. Saunders, if they are not looking to raise the performance standards we have today or if any of these metrics drop, the community needs to hold them accountable because that person is not doing the job they’re supposed to be doing in the position,” said Scott, the first Black senior executive in the 79-year history of the Office of Naval Research.
Sandy Sansing, a UWF alum and supporter, said Saunders did a phenomenal job representing and leading UWF.
“From the students, faculty and alumni, everyone I know totally loved and respected her for the job she did. I am so pleased for the wonderful way she improved every metrics that the state mandated and led UWF to the top,” Sansing said.
Elizabeth Turner-Ward, a UWF alum and current graduate student, said Saunders fostered a community focused on excellence.
“It’s a community where students from all walks of life felt welcomed into. It has been a community that pushed everyone to be their best together,” said Turner-Ward.
“The types of programs Dr. Saunders pushed with high-impact practices and undergraduate research have made a significant impact on students’ careers and lives. I am grateful I’ve gotten to attend the university under her leadership, and I greatly admire her. She will be missed by the student body.”
Turner-Ward said Saunders has shown great dignity during recent challenging situations.
Saunders’ commitment to students’ success extended beyond UWF.
Pensacola State College President Ed Meadows praised Saunders for assisting with the college’s Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Cybersecurity.
“Before Martha become the UWF president, she was the vice president of academic affairs and she helped clear the path for us to receive approval for our bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity,” Meadows recalled, adding the two also worked together on several articulation agreements including the PSC2UWF Student Partnership Program.
“I have always enjoyed Martha’s humor and wit, particularly in meetings with her and Pensacola Christian College president when we talked about how to be better partners in our community. Those meeting were always held with the goal of providing what is best for students, and I have always appreciated her for that.”
Saunders made the Pensacola community a better place to live, Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves said.
“Dr. Saunders didn’t just keep momentum at the UWF, she made an aspirational vision – higher performance, bigger enrollment and unprecedented success – a reality,” he said. “Her legacy will always be defined by success, strength and the fact that she ushered UWF to unprecedented heights.”
Suzanne Lewis, a former UWF trustee who serve on the board for 14 years, said Saunders’ brought innovative programs to the university such as giving undergraduate students access to research studies and internships.
“Giving students the opportunity to participate in internships in their fields of study improved their chances of being hired after graduation,” said Lewis, who added Saunders’ communication skills made her relatable to UWF students, faculty, staff and community members.
“She was always responsive to the community. I think the community, as a whole, will show Martha their gratitude for all the things she has done,” Lewis said.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: University of West Florida President Martha Saunders resigns
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