Martha Dunagin Saunders

Martha Dunagin Saunders
6th President of the University of West Florida
In office
January 1, 2017 – May 12, 2025
Preceded byJudith A. Bense
9th President of The University of Southern Mississippi
In office
May 21, 2007 – July 1, 2012
Preceded byShelby F. Thames
Succeeded byAubrey K. Lucas (interim)
Rodney D. Bennett
14th Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
In office
August 1, 2005 – May 20, 2007
Preceded byJack Miller
Succeeded byRichard J. Telfer
Personal details
Alma materUniversity of Southern Mississippi (B.A.)
University of Georgia (M.A.)
Florida State University (Ph.D.)
Academic background
ThesisEastern's pilot rebellion: Patterns of conflict rhetoric preceding the 1989 pilot walkout at Eastern Airlines (1990)
Doctoral advisorTheodore Clevenger
Academic work
Disciplinecommunication
Institutions

Martha Dunagin Saunders is an American professor and academic official. She served as the 14th chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater[1] and the ninth president of the University of Southern Mississippi.[2][3] She was also the sixth president of the University of West Florida, from 2017 until her resignation in 2025.[4][5][6][7]

Early life and education

Saunders was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and earned Bachelor of Arts in French from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1969. She later completed a Master of Arts in journalism at the University of Georgia and a Doctor of Philosophy in communication theory and research at Florida State University in 1990.[7]

Career

On May 21, 2005, the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents' Special Committee for the UW-Whitewater Chancellor Search recommended Saunders for the position of chancellor. In June 2005, the UW-Whitewater Chancellor Search Committee voted unanimously to appoint her as the 14th chancellor of the university. She became the first female chancellor at UW-Whitewater, with her term officially beginning on August 1, 2007.[1]

Saunders served as the ninth president of the University of Southern Mississippi and was the institution's first female president. During her tenure, the university experienced record enrollment, all-time-high fundraising and increased national recognition. She oversaw $250 million in building projects in five years.[2] A 22-foot-tall, bronze golden eagle statue on the USM campus was dedicated in her honor in 2013.[8]

Saunders was a professor of communication at the University of West Florida from 1984 to 2002.[9] In 2013, she returned to the university as provost.[10] In September 2016, the board of trustees voted for her to be the new president at the University of West Florida upon the retirement of Judith A. Bense.[11]

Saunders was inaugurated as the sixth president of the University of West Florida on April 21, 2017.[12][13][14] Prior to her appointment, she served as executive vice president, assuming the role of chief operating officer and chief academic officer, as well as vice president for the Division of Academic Affairs. On May 12, 2025, after eight years as president, Saunders announced her resignation.[7]

According to the Pensacola News Journal, the announcement followed Florida governor Ron DeSantis' appointment of five new members to the UWF Board of Trustees,[7][9] which prompted debate at the university.[6]

During her presidency, the University of West Florida appeared in national rankings, including recognition by U.S. News & World Report as a regional public institution in the South for multiple years. The university was also listed several times in surveys conducted by ModernThink and the Chronicle of Higher Education regarding workplace environment.[15] In 2024, it was named a "Great College to Work For" for the twelfth time.[5]

Awards and recognition

Saunders received several awards and recognitions, including:

  • 50 Top Business Women in Mississippi, Class of 2012
  • National Stevie Award for Women in Business, 2011[16]
  • National Silver Anvil Award, Public Relations Society of America, 2011
  • Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, 2011
  • Alumni Hall of Fame, University of Southern Mississippi, 2010
  • The Hub Award (City of Hattiesburg), 2010
  • Chi Omega Fraternity, Roselyn Dabbs Outstanding Alumna, 2008
  • Woman of Excellence Award, Diabetes Foundation of MS, Inc., 2008
  • National Silver Anvil Award, Public Relations Society of America, 1994
  • University of West Florida Distinguished Service Award, 1996
  • Florida Teaching Incentive Program (TIP) Award, 1994
  • Invited faculty, the Florida State University's London Study Center, fall semesters 1992 and 1993
  • Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching and Advising Award, University of West Florida, 1992.
  • Distinguished Teaching Award, University of West Florida, 1992
  • Golden Apple Award for Teaching Excellence, Escambia County Foundation for Excellence, 1991[17]

Personal life

Saunders is married to Joseph Bailey.[18][19]

References

  1. ^ a b Schulz, Valerie (August 15, 2022). "Warhawk Almanac: First Female Chancellor". Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  2. ^ a b Wilkinson, Kaija (April 28, 2012). "USM President Saunders resigns same day as questions swirl about $1 million-deficit". gulflive. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  3. ^ Johnson, Renee (April 27, 2012). "USM president resigns; Will teach at USM Gulf Coast". wlox.com. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  4. ^ Outzen, R. (2025), Breaking: UWF President Dr. Martha Saunders resigns, retrieved May 12, 2025
  5. ^ a b Gregory, Neal. "Martha Dunagin Saunders". digitalmag.theceomagazine.com. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Another Florida university president is stepping down". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on May 13, 2025. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  7. ^ a b c d Ferrer, Ashley. "University of West Florida President Martha Saunders resigns. What do college presidents do?". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  8. ^ Herrington, Charles (October 25, 2013). "USM dedicates new golden eagle statue". wdam.com. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  9. ^ a b Moody, Josh. "UWF President Out Amid Trustee Tensions". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  10. ^ "University of West Florida President Martha Saunders Resigns Amid Political Turmoil". Mid Bay News. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  11. ^ "Saunders to take helm of UWF". Pensacola News Journal. September 15, 2016. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  12. ^ "Inauguration of UWF President Martha D. Saunders". University of West Florida Newsroom. April 11, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  13. ^ Waagmeester, Jay (May 12, 2025). "University of West Florida president resigns amid DeSantis-driven overhaul • Florida Phoenix". Florida Phoenix. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  14. ^ "UWF President Martha Saunders Has Resigned". NorthEscambia.com. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  15. ^ "A Legacy of Growth, Excellence and Innovation: UWF President Martha D. Saunders Announces Departure | Newswise". www.newswise.com. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  16. ^ Awards, The Stevie. "PR Awards | Martha Saunders". blog.stevieawards.com. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  17. ^ Myer, Thomas St. "Saunders applying for UWF president; Gaetz unsure". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  18. ^ "Martha Saunders | President, University of West Florida". evolllution.com. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  19. ^ "Dr. Martha D. Saunders | University of West Florida". uwf.edu. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
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