Martha Dunagin Saunders

Martha Dunagin Saunders
6th President of the University of West Florida
In office
January 1, 2017 – May 12, 2025
Preceded byJudith A. Bense
9th President of The University of Southern Mississippi
In office
May 21, 2007 – July 1, 2012
Preceded byShelby F. Thames
Succeeded byAubrey K. Lucas (interim)
Rodney D. Bennett
14th Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
In office
August 1, 2005 – May 20, 2007
Preceded byJack Miller
Succeeded byRichard J. Telfer
Personal details
Alma materUniversity of Southern Mississippi (B.A.)
University of Georgia (M.A.)
Florida State University (Ph.D.)
Academic background
ThesisEastern's pilot rebellion: Patterns of conflict rhetoric preceding the 1989 pilot walkout at Eastern Airlines (1990)
Doctoral advisorTheodore Clevenger
Academic work
Disciplinecommunication
Institutions

Martha Dunagin Saunders is an American professor and academic official. She served as the 14th chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and the ninth president of the University of Southern Mississippi. She was also the sixth president of the University of West Florida, from 2017 until her resignation in 2025.