Martha D. Saunders

President, University of West Florida, Pensacola

UWF has garnered national recognition for veterans’ support and online learning. The university has seen record enrollment for the past five years. It serves as an economic engine for Northwest Florida, recently boosting visibility through programming in cybersecurity, engineering, nursing and water quality research. UWF has an enrollment of more than 14,000 students and employs 3,000 people. Saunders assumed the UWF presidency in 2017 after serving as president at two other universities.

EDUCATION: University of Southern Mississippi (BA), University of Georgia (MA), Florida State University (Ph.D.)

IF I WERE GOVERNOR: A strategic plan for the state with clear objectives for progress. I would attempt to bring my constituents into agreement as to our top challenges.

READING: Heroic Leadership: Best Practices from a 450-Year-Old Company That Changed the World, by Chris Lowney

MENTOR: Former UWF president Morris Marx has provided generous advice for a number of years and prompted me to seek a presidency.

MOTIVATIONAL MANTRA: 'Nothing worth having is easy.'

WHAT I’VE LEARNED: I have learned to ask for help when I need it.

INSPIRING FLORIDIAN
“Lucy Buffett is a successful restaurateur, an awesome cook, and a self-proclaimed 'Crazy Sista.' She takes care of her people.”