Patricia A.R. Martinez, M.S.Ed.After conducting a national search, the University of Alabama at Birmingham named Patricia A.R. Martinez, M.S.Ed., as assistant vice president for student services in the Division of Student Affairs.
Originally from Wisconsin, Martinez has more than 26 years of experience in service to students, most recently as acting executive director of Housing and Residential Life at Northern Illinois University.
“UAB continues to develop an undergraduate experience that is among the best in the nation,” said UAB President Ray L. Watts. “Patricia is a key addition to our team who will advance our continued efforts to grow and enhance UAB’s vibrant campus life as we attract the best and brightest students from around the nation and the world.”
In her role, Martinez will supervise the leadership of the Hill Student Center, Student Housing and Residential Life, and Campus Dining, as well as act as university liaison to the contract food service provider. She will lead projects of divisional renovation and construction; oversee capital investment planning for all student service facilities; and participate in departmental, divisional and institutional master planning efforts that impact the student experience. Martinez will also oversee divisional assessment efforts and information technology.
“Patricia has proved that she will be a tremendous advocate for student services,” said John Jones, Ph.D., vice president of Student Affairs. “Her leadership experience, service to her previous institutions and professional associations are certain to strengthen the new Division of Student Affairs and student success at UAB.”
Martinez says she is pleased to join a talented team dedicated to serving UAB students.
“UAB is positioned well to re-envision what an effective student affairs division delivers to today's students and to plan for future engaging experiences that will complement classroom learning, making them global leaders within our community,” Martinez said.
While acting executive director at NIU, Martinez was also the university’s director of residential communities and led all aspects of residence life, facilities management, business services, human resources, residential technology and educational functions. She was the associate director of residence life and new student programs at Miami University and has held student services appointments at Ball State University, Albright College and Eastern Illinois University.
Martinez has a master’s degree in education with a concentration in educational psychology and guidance from Eastern Illinois University. She has served on several committees that promote the enhancement and development of campus life.
She is co-director-elect of the Roelf Visser South African Student Housing Training Institute for the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International. Martinez also served on the ACUHO-I executive board as president, and finance and corporate records officer, where she represented the association internationally through speaking engagements. Martinez has also had executive board affiliations with the Great Lakes Association of College and University Housing Officers, and she served as a faculty member for the American College Personnel Association Residential Curriculum Institute.