Martha Saunders, Provost/ Vice President for Academic Affairs Phone: (850) 474.2035 Fax: (850) 474.3131 E-mail: msaunders@uwf.edu

On January 2, 2013, Dr. Martha Saunders assumed the role of Provost and Vice President for the Division of Academic Affairs at the University of West Florida. Dr. Saunders has extensive and highly-successful experience in academic leadership, including serving as President of the University of Southern Mississippi from 2007-2012.

Dr. Saunders received her doctorate in Communication Theory & Research from Florida State University. She received a master's degree in Journalism from the University of Georgia and a bachelor's degree in French from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Prior to her tenure at Southern Mississippi, she served as chancellor for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater from 2005-2007, after serving as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Columbus State University from 2002-2005.

She began her career at UWF in 1984 as an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Arts, and eventually became coordinator of the Public Relations Program. She also served as director of the University Honors Program and associate dean of the College of Arts & Social Sciences from 1996-1999. In 2000, she was named dean of our College of Arts & Sciences.

Kevin Bailey, Vice President for Student Affairs Phone: (850) 474.2214 Fax: (850) 474.3131 E-mail: baileyk@uwf.edu

Dr. Kevin Bailey is the vice president for Student Affairs. He provides leadership and oversight for the formulation, coordination and implementation of university-wide policies, programs and services related to the personal, cultural and general welfare of the student body outside the classroom. He has been in student affairs for 20 years and has worked at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Bowling Green State University, Millersville University of Pennsylvania and Tulane University before assuming his role at UWF in August 2010.

Bailey, as most people call him, is active in the student affairs profession having served elected or appointed positions in state, regional and national organizations including the Southern Association of College Student Affairs (SACSA), ACPA and NASPA. He has delivered numerous presentations and is the co-author of book chapters in the Jossey-Bass Publications African American Men in College, Campus Crisis Management: A Comprehensive Guide to Planning, Prevention, Response and Recovery and the NASPA Publication Beginning Your Journey: A Guide for New Professionals in Student Affairs. He is skilled in the development of student leadership programs and managing campus crises. As a Hurricane Katrina survivor, Dr. Bailey was the subject of a 2007 documentary produced by WIUP-TV on leadership and crisis. A follow-up documentary was produced in 2008.

Dr. Bailey has been recognized by the City of Toledo, OH, Outstanding Young Men of America, the International Who’s Who of Professionals, Bowling Green State University and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. for his professional accomplishments and contributions to student life and higher education. Most recently, he was recognized by his alma mater as the 2009 Ronald Lunardini Distinguished Alumni Award recipient.

Bailey holds a doctorate in higher education administration from Bowling Green State University and is a graduate of the Management Development Program sponsored by the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University. His master’s and bachelor’s degrees are from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He is originally from Philadelphia, PA, is an avid Philadelphia Eagles fan, member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and went to the same high school as Bill Cosby, Teller of Penn & Teller, and Larry of the Three Stooges. He proudly boasts that he has never mowed a lawn in his life!

Kyle Marrero, Vice President for University Advancement Phone: (850) 474.3306 Fax: (850) 474.2037 E-mail: kmarrero@uwf.edu

Dr. Kyle Marrero joined the University of West Florida in fall 2005 as the director of the School of Fine and Performing Arts and chair of the Department of Music. In August 2009 Dr. Marrero became the vice president for the division of University Advancement where he currently leads a staff of 34 full-time employees overseeing the university’s integrated marketing communications efforts, as well as the development and alumni relations’ activities. In addition, Dr. Marrero oversees the UWF Foundation, whose current endowment investment pool exceeds $60 million and as the institution’s chief philanthropic officer, he successfully led the final stages of the $39,275,411 Creating Great Futures capital campaign, which surpassed its goal of $35 million. Currently, a 50th anniversary campaign (2017) is in the feasibility testing phase.

With a clear focus on the importance of student life at UWF, Dr. Marrero has been supportive of various student life initiatives, including chairing the Football Feasibility Committee, serving on the Student Life Implementation Team forming both the Sword and Shield Council and Football Founders groups. Most recently, he was part of a five-member Strategic Planning Facilitators Team who developed and wrote the new 2012-2017 university strategic plan and will serve as the champion facilitator for the university’s effort in achieving the Carnegie Community & Curricular Engagement and Outreach & Partnerships Classification Award for 2015.

During his tenure as chair of the Music Department and director of the School of Fine and Performing Arts at UWF, Dr. Marrero garnered success in his abilities to navigate curriculum, personnel and development issues. He successfully achieved NASM accreditation and approval for degree title changes from Bachelor of Arts to Bachelor of Music, developed and implemented a new Bachelor of Music Education degree and helped develop a B.F.A. program in Music Theatre delivered in partnership with the Music and Theatre departments. Additionally, Dr. Marrero guided assessment innovations in fine arts curriculum and steered new standards in tenure and promotion guidelines appropriate to the music discipline. New initiatives to aid in recruitment and community service have included the addition of the UWF Summer High School Music Camp, the UWF Summer Kodály Workshop (level I certification) and the UWF Music Academy.

Dr. Marrero worked to establish and maintain community partnerships with the Pensacola Symphony, Pensacola Opera, Pensacola Museum of Art and the Pensacola Little Theatre. In working with Martha Lee Blodgett, vice president of Advancement at UWF, fundraising successes have included the purchase of 18 new Steinway pianos, making UWF a prestigious “All-Steinway” School and the naming of the Warren and Helen Wentworth “All-Steinway” Piano Program. University service activities have included the UWF Integrated Marketing Team, College of Arts and Sciences Chairs Leadership Group and Chair Mentoring Team. In addition to his university activities he also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Rehabilitation Foundation of Northwest Florida and as the artistic director of the Pensacola Opera.

During his time with the Pensacola Opera, Dr. Marrero has led the company in tripling its annual operations budget and doubling its patronage during his twelve years of service. The Opera’s mainstage productions continue to garner critical acclaim and have helped facilitate granting opportunities with the National Endowment of the Arts and Opera America. Demonstrating his commitment to education, he founded the Artist-in-Residence program at Pensacola Opera. The program, encompassing 17 weeks of residency, provides training to young artists newly out of graduate school and delivers outreach and educational programs reaching more than 20,000 children and 10,000 adults in Northwest Florida and South Alabama.

Marrero’s professional performing career as a singer and stage director took him to ten countries and 40 states. He continues to serve as an adjudicator for the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and provides Masterclasses throughout the US.

Past affiliations have included 11 years as an associate professor of voice at Louisiana State University, production director for Nevada Opera and artistic director of Opera Southwest in Albuquerque, N.M.

Dr. Marrero holds bachelor's and master's degrees in vocal performance from Bowling Green State University and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Michigan.

Susan Stephenson, Vice President of Business, Finance, and Facilities Phone: (850) 474.2210 Fax: (850) 474.2203 E-mail: sstephenson@uwf.edu

Dr. Susan Stephenson was selected to be the Vice President for Business, Finance, and Facilities in January, 2013. She provides leadership and oversight for the institution's budget process, auxiliary services, financial services, procurement and contracts, campus building and grounds, and the campus master plan implementation. She is also the institution's liaison to the newest direct support organization, UWF Business Enterprises, Inc. (BEI). She serves as the University's Chief Financial Officer.

She has worked in higher education administration for over 20 years. Prior to coming to Pensacola as the Executive Director of the UWF Foundation in 2005, she held a variety of administrative positions at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

Susan has a Master in Business Administration and a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration, both from the University of Arkansas. She earned her Certified Public Accountant in Arkansas in 1990. She is also a certified internal auditor and a certified fraud examiner.

Dr. Stephenson has also taught courses in the Master of Education in College Student Affairs Administration, M.Ed. program and the Bachelor of Arts, Criminal Justice program.

Kimberly Brown, Vice President and Chief of Staff Phone: (850) 474.2200 Fax: (850) 474.3131 E-mail: kimbrown@uwf.edu

Dr. Kimberly Sessions Brown was promoted to be Vice President and Chief of Staff for the President and President's Division in January, 2013. She provides leadership for the departments in the President's division including Government Relations, Human Resources, the Office of Economic Development and Engagement, Florida Small Business Development Center, and the Haas Center for Business Research and Development. On behalf of the UWF President she also serves as the liaison to the UWF Board of Trustees and provides leadership for the administrative team in the Office of the President. In addition, she facilitates the operational needs of the office of the General Counsel.

She has served in higher education administration for 19 years, having previously served in the Office of the President under Presidents Morris Marx and John Cavanaugh. Prior to coming to the University of West Florida in 1994, she held a variety of administrative positions in healthcare, county government, and in her family's entrepreneurial businesses.

Kim has a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from the University of Alabama, a Masters in Public Administration, and Bachelors of Science in Business Administration both from the University of West Florida. She has served on professional boards of the Santa Rosa County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program, The National Association of Presidential Assistants in Higher Education, The Association of Governing Boards Board Professionals, and the Greater Pensacola Society for Human Resources Management.

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