Women Leaders at HSU: Stacey Martin

The Vice President for Student Life provides strategic leadership for all aspects of student life beyond the classroom, shaping the overall student experience at HSU. This role oversees key areas such as campus police, counseling, the Dean of Students office, global engagement, residence life, spiritual formation, student activities, student engagement, student leadership, and university recreation.

This June, Stacey will celebrate 28 years of dedicated service to HSU. Her journey began in admissions and recruiting, followed by academic advising and retention roles. She later transitioned to Student Life, serving as Dean of Student Engagement, Dean of Students, before ultimately stepping into her current role as Vice President for Student Life.

While serving as Dean of Students, Stacey was asked by the university president to take on the role of interim Vice President for Student Life following the departure of her predecessor. After five months of leadership in this capacity, she was officially appointed Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students, a role in which she continues to make a lasting impact on the HSU community. We asked Stacey a variety of questions related to her leadership style throughout her career at HSU, and here is what she shared:

What does being a woman in leadership mean to you? My desire is that the opportunities for professional growth at HSU will be an example to the young women while they are students. Where they can be challenged to pursue their goals and dreams because they see examples of many women across campus paving the way. I am grateful for the opportunities of mentorship with students and colleagues that are a true blessing.

How has your time at HSU influenced your professional and personal growth? During my time at HSU, many women have impacted me both professionally and personally. The women include faculty and staff members who have become lifelong friends, as well as current and former trustees and board members. From my early years of working at HSU, the University Women’s organization brought together the faculty and staff for a monthly meeting during lunch. This organization provided opportunities for the women across the campus to come together to learn and grow. We also raised money to provide a yearly scholarship for a deserving young lady pursuing her HSU degree.

Can you share a project or initiative at HSU that you are particularly proud of? Prichard Hall – I’ve had the opportunity of being part of the entire process from the dreaming and designing to the dedication of the completed residence hall. When I stand in the fourth-floor lobby and gaze out the windows, I’m reminded of our long discussions about the precise placement of Prichard Hall’s front doors—carefully positioned so that the moment you step through, you’re welcomed by the view of the very heart of campus.

What values guide you as a leader? The values of work ethic and servant leadership guide me in daily work as I lead the Student Life team. My parents instilled the importance of a strong work ethic at an early age. The work ethic value led to a focus on servant leadership. Servant leaders in higher education prioritize the needs of students. We actively seek ways to empower students, not just through academic instruction, but by fostering their personal growth, self-esteem, and confidence. By putting students’ needs first, servant leaders create an environment where students feel supported and valued, leading to improved academic and personal outcomes. One of the core components of servant leadership is listening. Leaders in higher education who truly listen to their students, faculty, and staff can make more informed decisions, address issues effectively, and create a culture of open communication. Servant leadership encourages collaboration and teamwork rather than focusing on a hierarchical, top-down approach. For me, it is important for my team to see me working alongside them, especially during the challenging times. I believe this has allowed me to have a greater connection with members of the Student Life team. This approach fosters a sense of community, where everyone works together toward shared goals. Trust is essential in any organization, and servant leadership fosters strong, trusting relationships among students, faculty, and administrators. By putting others first, being transparent, and showing empathy, servant leaders can help create an environment where everyone feels respected and valued. Servant leadership nurtures a culture of service and care, which can have long-lasting effects on the institution. By prioritizing the well-being of individuals and building a community-oriented culture, servant leaders help create an academic environment that thrives on mutual respect and collaboration.

What biblical or faith-based principles do you lean on as a leader?  I have a special sign in my office painted with the key verse that I have lived by in my work in Student Life. Micah 6:8 is a powerful and well-known verse from the Old Testament that states: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (NIV) In the context of higher education, this verse can be applied in several meaningful ways, focusing on values such as justice, mercy, and humility. This verse embodies how I have approached my work with students, especially in my work as the Dean of Students and in my current role.

In higher education, “acting justly” can translate into advocating for fairness and equality within the academic community. This includes ensuring that all students, regardless of their background, race, socioeconomic status, or identity, have equal opportunities to succeed. The importance that every student is treated with fairness and equity. Higher education can sometimes be intense, with students facing immense pressure.

The idea of loving mercy reflects an attitude of compassion and understanding, especially toward those who are struggling. This can involve mentoring, offering emotional and academic support, and creating a nurturing environment where mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth rather than failure.

Regarding disciplinary matters, a focus on mercy could encourage restorative approaches to justice rather than punitive ones. This means addressing violations or misconduct with a focus on rehabilitation, reconciliation, and learning from mistakes rather than merely punishing the individual.

Walking humbly with God. also speaks to the importance of being in community. Higher education institutions are often places where diverse perspectives and beliefs converge. Humility means respecting and engaging with others’ ideas while acknowledging one’s own limitations.

Walking humbly inspires students to be mindful of their responsibility to serve others, whether through volunteer work, contributing to society, or engaging in projects that have a positive impact on the wider community.

By emphasizing justice, mercy, and humility, this verse calls on academic institutions to foster an environment that nurtures ethical behavior, community, and intellectual growth. In doing so, students and faculty alike are encouraged to pursue knowledge and truth while considering their responsibility to the greater good of society.

When we practice living out Micah 6:8, the challenging times in our students’ lives can be opportunities for growth. Walking through the valleys with the students and then watching them reach the mountain tops of success brings me joy. These are the monumental moments that make the difficult days sweeter.

What’s your favorite HSU tradition? I have several that span the course of a student’s journey. My favorite has to be when I worked in partnership with the Alumni Relation Office to start the Sophomore Ring Dunk event in 2008. This event has evolved over the last 17 years. The sophomore students dunking their hand into our purple solution to retrieve a keychain with a replica of the ring they will receive their last semester.

Coffee or tea? Both – coffee in the morning and tea the rest of the day.

What’s your favorite spot on campus? Logsdon Chapel holds a special place in my heart. It’s where my husband, Cody, and I exchanged our vows, where I received my HSU ring for my doctorate, and where I was hooded before graduation. It’s also a sacred space where, twice a week during the semester, our HSU family comes together in worship, experiencing the presence of the Holy Spirit. Throughout my years at HSU, Logsdon Chapel has been a place of serenity.