award in education during the organization’s annual Women and Leadership in Workplace Conference. That same year, under Martin’s leadership at EMU, the university was selected for the 10th consecutive year by The Princeton Review as one of the nation’s “Best in the Midwest” for tuition and education. She also oversaw Eastern’s participation in the project “Lead the Way” to train middle- and high-school teachers how to teach a rigorous STEM curriculum in Michigan Schools. In January 2013, Martin was re-appointed to the Michigan Education Trust board of directors by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder. The 9-person committee is housed within the Michigan Department of Treasury and acts as an advisory board for the Michigan Education Savings Program, which is a tax-deferred savings and investment account available to families saving for college. This marks Martin’s second three-year term on the board. Her term expires December 31, 2015. Martin was named co-chair of the United Way of Washtenaw County’s 2014 fundraising campaign to raise $6 million in September 2014 with Steve Dobson, retired president and CEO of Dobson-McOmber Insurance. In 2014, she was honored by the Ypsilanti/Willow Run Branch of the NAACP with the Josephine Ruffin Honorary Civil Rights Award of Distinction for her “dedicated service in education.” According to Shoshana DeMaria, the NAACP Ypsilanti/Willow Run Branch president, the award recognizes “her focus on ‘Education First,’ keeping tuition affordable, increasing enrollment and making students, families, alumni, faculty and staff feel secure, confident and empowered.” President of Eastern Michigan University During a press conference and reception on May 14, 2008 announcing her appointment as EMU President, Martin revealed she had started the EMU Excellence Fund. As reported on Focus EMU, "Martin cast the first $10,000 and enthusiastically urged everyone present to contribute at least $1 to the fund, an action that drew applause." On Thursday, November 20, 2008, Martin was formally inaugurated as the 22nd president of EMU in a ceremony at Pease Auditorium in front of approximately 1,000 attendees. Her initial appointment was for three years, and she received a two year contract extension in 2010 and another two-year extension in 2013 continuing her contract through July 7, 2015. In 2014, the Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents unanimously approved another one-year extension to July 7, 2016. At the completion of her contract, her tenure makes her the longest serving president at Eastern since William Shelton who served 11 years from 1989-2000. Although