MARTHA D. SAUNDERS

FORMER PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA, PENSACOLA

Saunders was UWF’s sixth president and served in the role for about eight years until stepping down in May. During her tenure, the university achieved record enrollment of about 15,000 students and garnered national recognition for veterans’ support and online learning. She also spearheaded the development of more than 20 new academic programs — including programs in high-demand fields such as cybersecurity and mechanical engineering — and steered the university’s steady rise in national rankings. UWF has been named one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South by U.S. News & World Report for five consecutive years. It has also been named a “Great College to Work For” six times by ModernThink and The Chronicle of Higher Education during her presidency. Saunders’ impact on the school will be felt for years to come. “I’ve spent much of my career building leadership — depth on the bench. I mentor with purpose, and many of the individuals I’ve guided now lead at high levels. Developing strong successors isn’t just strategy — it’s legacy. I take pride in shaping leaders who will drive impact long after I’ve passed the baton,” she says.