Mirta Martin, Fort Hays State University president

Fort Hays State University’s new president hopes increasing global partnerships will boost the university academically and financially.

Mirta Martin, an immigrant who describes her own experience as the American dream, became president of Fort Hays State University in July following the retirement of 28-year President Ed Hammond.

This week, on a Kansas tour to meet civic leaders and alumni, she stressed the importance of Fort Hays State engaging a new generation of learners to become a destination of choice for academics.

“It is time for a bold new vision, a vision that builds upon the strength of our successes and furthers our commitment to remain a true forward-thinking, world-ready university,” she said in a prepared statement.

One of Martin’s big goals for Fort Hays State is to develop a program in Latin America similar to the school’s degree program in China, which is a major revenue source for the university that helps it keep in-state tuition low.

Since 2000, Fort Hays State has offered classes in China, a program that now has more than 3,000 students and offers multiple degrees. Martin said Latin America’s emerging economies made it a good location for a degree program and collaboration with students at the school’s Kansas campus.

“We’re going to expand our footprint in the world,” she said.

Martin’s own personal and professional experience provides part of the inspiration for growing global connections.

Martin was born in Cuba and fled the country at age 5 with her grandmother and 4-year-old sister. The three lived in a convent in Spain for another five years until they could come to the United States, where they settled in Florida and her grandmother worked two jobs to make ends meet.

When it came time for college, Martin said, “my grandmother said that not going to college was not a choice.”

Martin went to Duke University and graduate school, married, had children and went on to a career in international banking and academics. Most recently, Martin was dean and professor of management at the Reginald F. Lewis College of Business at Virginia State University.

“In her they found a successful businesswoman and a very accomplished educator in one package,” outgoing president Hammond said.

Martin cited Fort Hays State’s small classes taught by full-time faculty, its high-ranking Virtual College and its affordable tuition among the school’s assets.

In addition to expanding international programs, she said she wants to increase collaboration between students and working professionals in their fields, and increase collaboration with other Kansas Regents schools including Kansas University.

Partnerships can help make more seamless transitions for students who may start at a junior college then come to Fort Hays State, or go on to another school for an advanced degree not offered at Fort Hays State.

“It’s about convenience, it’s about flexibility,” Martin said.

That access to affordable education is part of the American dream, she said.

“I believe the American dream is the exceptional combination of determination, hard work and opportunity that allows anyone in this country to shape his or her future,” she said. “People pursue it today, and their journey leads them to the front door of Fort Hays State University.”