FAIRMONT — In the past 30 years, Fairmont State University President Dr. Mirta Martin has made her mark on higher education, leading her to capture the WVNews.com ’s Educator of the Year Award for 2019.

Martin, who has been president at Fairmont State since January 2018, has helped turn the university’s financial situation around over the past 18 months, leading to the institution seeing a $5.3 million increase in its net position this fiscal year despite the $1.9 million deficit she inherited.

Before coming to Fairmont State, though, and before even attending college for the first time, Martin recalls a very humble upbringing, which started when she, her sister and her grandmother left their home country of Cuba to live in a convent in Spain while waiting to be reunited with the rest of their family. Martin lived in that convent for the next decade, not making her way to America until she was 14 years old.

“On a leap of faith, our grandmother brought us to the United States,” Martin said. “I did not speak a word of English, and neither did my sister. Like most immigrants and many American families today, my grandmother worked two full-time jobs, and I went to school and had a full-time job. …

“My grandmother always said that God gave us two hands with which to work, and how grateful we should be for that. She was grateful we were in a country where we could practice our faith and live in a democratic society where the fruit of your labor would allow you the opportunity to become your very best.”

While Martin’s achievements over the past several decades — in both higher education and banking, the latter her first career path — are enough to make anyone proud, she originally had no big dreams beyond attending college, which she said was a mountainous task in and of itself.

“There were times I thought that it wasn’t possible,” Martin said. “I thought it was easier to get to the moon. I could see the moon, whereas with college, (I thought,) ‘What’s that? What does it mean? What courses do I take? What do I do?’ Were it not for the incredible mentors I had, I wouldn’t be here.”

Despite the setbacks, Martin graduated from Duke University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and political science. While she originally wanted to get into pediatric oncology, she decided that it wasn’t for her, which led to her first career in banking.

While climbing the ranks in the banking world, Martin also was hard at work raising her new family and attending graduate school, which eventually led her to attaining an MBA from the University of Richmond and a doctorate with an emphasis in strategic management and leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University.

By the early 1990s, Martin was the senior vice president of the First Union National Bank of Virginia, while also working as an associate professor at Averett University. Despite the life that she had made for her and her family in banking, a variety of reasons — including her wish to be able to watch her kids grow up — led her to make the switch to higher education.

“At the bank, I was living a very good life, but I made the decision to step down from that position,” Martin said. “I loved what I did. I was able to help people. … (Switching careers) was a leap of faith for us. I took an 85 or 90 percent cut in salary, but if I had to do it again, I would.”

In the 25 years since, Martin has held a number of positions at universities across the country, including the University of Richmond, Virginia State University and Fort Hays State University.

“One thing led to another, and I entered into administration because I felt like I could made a greater impact on the students,” Martin said. “We have many students who are nontraditional, and I understand their plight. My graduate degrees where done nontraditional, raising a family and working, and this was a time before the internet.”

Now, although her children are grown and she’s working in the Mountain State, Martin said she’s never too far away from her memories of the little girl growing up in a Spanish convent.

“The difference, perhaps, between me and others is that I haven’t forgotten where I came from,” Martin said. “The values of hard work and perseverance and my faith is what guides my path day after day. Even when things are difficult, it’s the faith that tells me to get up the next morning and come back in, because there’s always someone there (in need). If I can make an impact on one child, I have done my job, and that’s my mission.”

Martin said that it’s these memories of her early life that have led her down the path she’s taken, and she hopes to provide the same mentorship that was given to her when she was young.

“There were times that there was not enough money to put food on the table,” Martin said. “I remember going hungry, which is what drives my passion for higher ed. It drives my passion for the students. It’s the reason I came to Fairmont State. I can identify with these students. …

“Throughout my life, I’ve been blessed with mentors who stood up for me and defended me, protected me and opened doors for me. They were a voice when I didn’t have one. It’s now my time, privilege and duty to pass it forward, and this is where I’ve chosen to do that with these students.”

Although she’s only been in Fairmont for about two years, Martin has already made her mark on “The Friendly City” as a whole. Since coming to Fairmont State, Martin has been an advocate for community engagement, which has led to a very good relationship with the city of Fairmont, according to Mayor Brad Merrifield.

“The building of relationships is so critical to getting anything accomplished,” Merrifield said. “From the go, (Martin) has been 100% dedicated to community involvement. She’s always receptive and open to what we can do to make things better in the community. …

“She’s just been very open and available. She’s not turned us away as far as ideas floated her way. It’s just a good working relationship.”

Looking back at her educational career, Martin pointed to many accomplishments that have made her proud. At Averett University, she helped create a “fast-track” program for graduate students seeking to attain an MBA without having to go to school for six years.

At Fort Hays State University, Martin designed and launched the Hispanic College Institute, which instructs first-generation Hispanic students on how to navigate the American higher education system.

Beyond that, Martin said that she’s proud of each and every single student she’s ever overseen, and she’s looking forward to continuing her career at Fairmont State University.

“Here at Fairmont State, our ability to turn around the finances to the tune of ($7.2) million in 18 months protects this institution and its faculty, staff and students so they have access to the incredible education we provide and the distinctive programs that we offer,” Martin said. “That impact on this campus and on this community is something that I’m very proud of, and it fills my life with purpose.”