The Visionary Behind the Rise of UWF: Dr. Martha Saunders

Описание: 🌟 Congratulations to Dr. Martha Saunders, our Leader in Education for the 66th Annual PACE Awards! 🌟

The Leader in Education award recognizes an individual who has dedicated their life to advancing education and whose influence will shape our community for years to come. Dr. Saunders embodies this honor through her transformational leadership at University of West Florida, where she has championed initiatives that elevate both the university and our region.

During her tenure, UWF established the Center for Cybersecurity and launched Florida’s first bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, earning designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence by the NSA and U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Under her leadership, the university has also risen steadily in national rankings, been recognized multiple times as a “Great College to Work For,” and earned honors such as Florida Collegiate Purple Star Campus, Gold-level Military Friendly School, and Best for Vets College. She also oversaw the development of UWF’s national championship football program.

Above all, Dr. Saunders is motivated by the impact of these achievements—seeing students graduate, programs flourish, and the community benefit from the success of the university.

Thank you to our award sponsor, University of West Florida, for supporting this recognition. 💙