Under Martin’s leadership, WashU has evolved dramatically—perhaps most notably through its reimagined School of Continuing & Professional Studies (formerly University College), which creates direct paths to more lucrative careers and helps regional employers retain talent. “I’m especially proud of our Prison Education Project,” Martin says. “It reminds us that excellence can be found anywhere, and education is for everyone.” Martin believes that higher education is about unlocking potential and leading with curiosity, collaboration, and purpose.
2026 QUESTIONNAIRE
What advice would you give to the next generation of St. Louis entrepreneurs or leaders? At WashU, we seek to educate and nurture the next generation of leaders so they can make a meaningful impact here in St. Louis and beyond. My best advice to them is to surround yourself with smart people, those who are far more intelligent than you in their respective fields and areas of focus. Deep bench strength is critically important to a team’s success. Good leaders also realize that having a wide variety of perspectives and insights from their colleagues ensures a more thorough examination of an issue, and sounder decision-making overall.
What’s a risk you took in business that didn’t pan out—but taught you something valuable? It was a big risk for me when I stepped away from my secure job as a tenured professor and devoted my full-time efforts to academic leadership. Thankfully I had an opportunity to do a little experiment before I did. I took an earned sabbatical and moved to a remote area where I was able to read, write, and think … to live the “life of the mind.” After doing that for a year, I knew that it was time to make a change, and that I needed to take a risk to ensure a satisfying professional life for the next phase of my career. I don’t regret it for a moment.
What do you do when you’re feeling stuck or uninspired? If I’m feeling stuck or uninspired on a project, that’s an indication that I have more to learn before I’m ready to succeed. In those cases, I swap my professor hat for my student hat. I’ll research, read, or consult with an expert and then begin again.
Who in your company (or industry) deserves more recognition for their impact? When people think of a university, they mainly picture students and professors, classrooms and libraries. But there is an army of people who work behind the scenes to make it all run smoothly and safely. WashU employs approximately 22,000 St. Louisans, and when you factor in things like construction, purchasing, and student spending, the university is an economic engine that supports about 57,000 jobs in the region. The police officers, landscapers, food service workers, and lab techs are all part of this academic community, and they all share in the credit for the advances made by our faculty and students.
What’s a local organization, nonprofit, or initiative that more people should know about—and why? I’m really excited about what’s happening in our School of Continuing and Professional Studies at WashU. CAPS, as we call it, seeks to empower modern learners through career advancement and professional development in balance with their work and personal responsibilities. In particular, I think more people should know about our Prison Education Project, which offers on-site Associate and Bachelor’s degree programs for incarcerated students within two Missouri correctional facilities, as well as reentry services that extend support beyond students’ release. This program reminds us that excellence can be found anywhere, and education is for everyone.
2025 QUESTIONNAIRE
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
What has you most excited about the future of your company or industry? Our St. Louis Initiatives team serves as a “front door to WashU” for the greater community, helping deepen the university’s relationship with and impact in St. Louis. There’s so much potential to build upon and expand on long-standing partnerships, establish new ones, and activate the talents of our students and faculty in service to and alongside our region. I can’t wait to see all the opportunities unfold as we continue our work in St. Louis and for St. Louis.
If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why? There’s been much public discourse of late questioning the value of higher education and its true return on investment. I wish some of these critics could come see what’s going on here at WashU. We’re training tomorrow’s leaders to solve our world’s most pressing and urgent challenges. We’re mobilizing our world-class research to benefit our city, region and world. And we’re providing excellent patient care to those who need it. It’s incumbent upon institutions of higher education to improve the lives of those around them, and we need more people to be aware of our true impact.
What’s the toughest business challenge you’ve had to overcome (excluding the pandemic) and why? A key component of WashU’s 10-year strategic plan is the renewed focus on our people and their growth – academically, in their careers, and in their lives as a whole. That includes our collective mental health and wellness. We’re embracing a culture of care to make sure we’re all showing up as our best version of ourselves. That’s included significant investment in new programs focused on everything from work-life balance and mindfulness to professional development and career support. It can be difficult to adopt a new culture, and I’m proud of the effort we’ve made so far to support everyone in our community, and to meet them where they are.
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MENTORS & PEERS
To whom or where do you go for sound business advice? Our board chair, Andy Burksy, is the co-founder and managing partner of Atlas Holdings. He has a sharp strategic acumen that’s been invaluable to me since I assumed the role of chancellor here at WashU, and I am always grateful for his insights and advice. Of course, Professor Lee Epstein has known me since my early days here at WashU thirty years ago, when I came here for my PhD program. She was my mentor then, and has since become a co-author, colleague, and confidant of the highest order. I call on her often for advice or when I need a sounding board, and she’s always there, just as she was during my first days here at the university.
Do you have a business mentor? If so, who and why? I’m a big fan of great coaches who root for others and help them achieve their true potential. Bob Virgil is a perfect example. For decades, Bob’s been linked to WashU. He studied here, then became a faculty member, served as vice chancellor for student affairs, then became dean of the business school, and is now an emeritus university Trustee. With his deep history with and love for WashU, Bob’s perspective has been invaluable to me as chancellor. I greatly value his perspective and advice.
What is one thing you would change about the St. Louis metro area business environment and why? Institutions need to do a better job of telling our own story. Reading some news headlines, it might appear to some like the St. Louis region is more troubled than it really is. Of course, like any large metropolitan area, we have our challenges. But what those of us who are actually here know is that the positives far outweigh the negatives, and we need to be proactive in sharing all the good things that are happening here. There’s so much pride in St. Louis, and it’s time for us to fly that flag with more boldness and confidence.
BACKGROUND
Where were you born? Lafayette, IN
What was your childhood aspiration? I wanted to be an attorney.
What educational degrees do you hold, and where were they earned? I earned my AB from the College of William & Mary in mathematics and government in 1994, and my PhD in political science here at WashU.
If you were not in your current profession, what would you be doing and why? I suppose you could say I enjoy the best of both worlds here at WashU. If I weren’t in my current role, I’d probably want to return to a teaching position. I still get to dabble in it; each year I lead an undergraduate course focused on free speech on campus. I really enjoy it, and it turns out I learn just as much from the students as they likely do from me. Tapping into their perspectives and insights is invaluable, and certainly informs my job as chancellor.
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
What is one item you recently crossed off your bucket list? I attended the Masters at Augusta National, and I got to take my dad to celebrate his 80th birthday. It was the trip of a lifetime for both of us.
What is one book you think everyone should read (or podcast everyone should listen to) and why? The Privileged Poor: How Elite Colleges are Failing Disadvantaged Students, by sociologist Anthony Abraham Jack, now at Boston University. It should be required reading not only for university leaders, but for anyone who cares about higher education and how our institutions serve our students and society. The book is insightful and pushes readers to rethink the idea of “privilege” and how universities must carefully consider our approach to leveling the playing field to give our nation’s most talented, hard- working students a path to academic success.
What’s your hobby/passion? I’m a huge sports fan. Most of my favorite teams are here in St. Louis, of course. The Cards, Blues and CITY SC are all terrific, and I try to attend and watch as many of their games as I can. The St. Louis exception? The Chicago Bears. I grew up too close to the Windy City not to fall in love with the Monsters of the Midway. Sorry not sorry.
What is your most prized possession? Speaking of Da Bears, it has to be my autographed Walter Payton football. Sweetness was the real deal.
What would people be surprised to learn about you (fun fact)? I love haberdashery. Don’t get me wrong, our WashU polo shirts with our new logo are terrific as well, but I’m a bespoke clothing enthusiast.
What is your go-to karaoke song? That’s easy: “It’s Tricky” by Run DMC.
