President Saunders' Blog
President Saunders shares how the University is launching the next generation of big thinkers who will change the world.
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2018: A Year of No Limits for the University of West Florida
December 30, 2018 | Martha D. Saunders, Ph.D.The support of this community contributed greatly to UWF’s success this year. Together with the backing of the UWF Board of Trustees and our direct support organizations, we are moving forward with undeniable grit. My pledge to you is continued momentum in 2019. On behalf of us all at UWF, thank you for sharing our journey.
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The Best and Brightest Choose UWF
December 4, 2018 | Martha D. Saunders, Ph.D.They’re among the best and the brightest in the nation, and they’re brand new to campus. I recently had the pleasure of meeting a group of first-year students who are not your average freshmen. These nine young adults are an elite bunch known as UWF’s “Top Scholars.”
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Internships and Co-ops Provide Bridge to Student Careers
December 2, 2018 | Martha D. Saunders, Ph.D.In a few weeks, Pensacola Bay Center will be filled with families and friends celebrating with 2,000 students from the University of West Florida as they receive their college degrees. Some of these students will go on to complete another degree program, but most will be starting their careers.
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STEAM Art Installation Integrates Humanities and Sciences
November 15, 2018 | Martha D. Saunders, Ph.D.The Reubin O'D. Askew Institute of Multidisciplinary Studies increases the visibility of science, technology, engineering, art and math initiatives. One of the Institute’s initiatives is a call to artists for the production of public art with a STEAM emphasis that will be installed on UWF’s Pensacola campus.
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UWF Takes Special Pride in Military Community
November 13, 2018 | Martha D. Saunders, Ph.D.Almost a quarter of our students have a military affiliation, so Veterans Day has special meaning for many of us here. I am always moved when we have our annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day observances on campus and get to hear personal stories of those who served their country.
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UWF Global Online Makes UWF a Leader in Online Learning
September 26, 2018 | Martha D. Saunders, Ph.D.As we enter into the 20th anniversary of online learning at UWF, we’re reaching further and developing new ways to deliver online learning and connecting to the community, the region and the world.
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Inspiring the Gulf Coast: The UWF University-Community Partnership Model
September 13, 2018 | Martha D. Saunders, Ph.D.Universities and communities thrive when they work together to accomplish mutual goals. This is why we’ve made “Community and Economic Engagement” one of the five key directions in our strategic plan. In a university-community partnership model, everyone wins.
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Today's workforce needs hard and soft skills
September 12, 2018 | Martha D. Saunders, Ph.D.As I talk to area business and industry leaders, they often tell me that graduates who are entering the workforce need more “soft” skills. They need students who have mastered the technical side but also can present ideas and concepts to managers and work in groups to solve problems.
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Argos on the Move. International Programs Offering a Vital Global Experience
August 16, 2018 | Martha D. Saunders, Ph.D.This summer, I did a little traveling of my own when I met students participating in UWF’s Catalyst Program in Paris. It was one of the best weeks I’ve had "in the office" since becoming president at UWF.
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Pushing Past "PC" with UWF’s Cross-Cultural Competency Course
August 8, 2018 | Martha D. Saunders, Ph.D.“We live in a global society.” It’s a common phrase that we’re hearing more every day. No longer do we exist in homogeneous silos. The U.S. is more diverse than ever before, and the world is changing all around us. Our workplace teams include people from many generations, faiths, backgrounds and parts of the world.