Harold L Martin

Early life and education

Martin, a native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, received both his bachelor's and Master of Science degrees in electrical engineering from North Carolina A&T. He later earned a doctoral degree in electrical engineering from Virginia Tech in 1980.

Career

Martin's career in education began at his alma mater, North Carolina A&T, where he worked in various capacities within the school's electrical engineering department; including serving as dean of the College of engineering from 1989 to 1994. He would later be appointed to the position of Vice Chancellor of academic affairs of the university, where he served from 1994 to 1999.

In 2000, Martin was appointed chancellor of Winston-Salem State University. Under the Martin administration, the university's enrollment nearly doubled, from 2,796 to 5,556. In addition, freshman SAT scores increased by nearly 70 points, and the campus underwent a dramatic physical transformation made possible in part by a $45 Million Higher Education Bond Program in 2000. He was also credited with forging stronger working relationships with internal and external constituencies, raising the quality and breadth of academic degree programs, launching programs to improve student retention and graduation rates, and upgrading the campus' technology.

In 2006, Martin would step down from the leadership of Winston-Salem State University and become senior vice president for academic affairs at The University of North Carolina, General Administration. While there, Martin oversaw the development and implementation of the University’s academic mission, including teaching, research, international programs and student affairs.

On May 22, 2009, Martin was elected as the twelfth Chancellor of North Carolina A&T State University, making him the first alumnus to serve in the position. Under Martin's leadership, the university has developed a strategic plan to aimed to position the North Carolina A&T to become a premier institution of higher learning and research on a state, national, and international level. The plan entitled "Preeminence 2020," identifies six specific goals including the increase of diversity and research activity within the university.

Awards and recognition

Martin has been the recipient of a number of awards and recognition, on both a local and national level, over the span of his career. Those awards include: Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities (1974); North Carolina A&T State University Alumni Association Alumnus of the Year (1976); Triad Business Journal's 10 to Watch (2001); Winston-Salem Chronicle's Man of the Year (2001); Virginia Tech's Distinguished Graduate Alumni Award (2004); McDonald’s 5th Annual African American Achievement Award for Education (2005); Thurgood Marshall College Foundation Award for Excellence (2008), and Virginia Tech College of Engineering Distinguished Alumnus (2010). Martin also has an Honorary Degree from Wake Forest University, which he was awarded in 2007.

In 2012, the Winston-Salem State University Board of Trustees approved the naming of new residence hall in honor of Martin and his predecessor, Alvin J. Schexnider, who served as chancellor of the university from 1996 until 2000.

Personal life

Martin is married to his wife Davida Martin (nee Wagner). Mrs. Martin is a county attorney for Forsyth County, North Carolina, and together she and Dr. Martin have two sons, Harold Jr. and Walter Martin. Martin is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.