contributors
Dr. Mirta Martin
Dr. Mirta Martin,
a native of Cuba, is
the 26th president
of Fairmont State
University. She holds
a baccalaureate in
psychology and political
science from Duke University, a master’s in
business administration from the University of
Richmond and a doctorate with an emphasis
in strategic management and leadership from
Virginia Commonwealth University. She and
her husband, John, reside in Fairmont and have
two grown children.
Dr. Ben Martz
Dr. Ben Martz is the
dean of Shepherd
University’s College
of Business and holds
the Edward L. Snyder
Endowed Chair in
Business. He has a
bachelor’s degree in marketing, master’s degree
in management information systems and Ph.D.
in business. At Shepherd, he is also faculty
advisor for Delta Sigma Pi.
Olivia Miller
Olivia Miller is the
communications
specialist for the Statler
College of Engineering
and Mineral Resources at
West Virginia University
(WVU). She is an
integrated marketing communications graduate
student at WVU and holds a bachelor’s degree
in journalism. In her spare time, she freelances
as a writer, photographer and videographer. A
native of Hendricks, WV, Miller has a passion
for traveling, writing and adventuring.
Dr. Johnny Moore
Dr. Johnny Moore
is the president at
Pierpont Community
& Technical College.
A native of Hope, AR,
he holds bachelor’s
and master’s degrees in
mathematics, and he earned his Ph.D. from
Florida Institute of Technology. He resides in
Morgantown, WV, with his wife, Sequoyah,
and their children, Johnathan and Jayna.
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE
Jim Nelson
Jim Nelson is Bluefield
State College’s vice
president for student
engagement. He has
provided radio play-
by-play broadcasts
for local high school
football and basketball games for more than
50 years, and he has assisted in the writing of
three books.
Dr. Kathleen Nelson
Dr. Kathleen Nelson is
the interim president at
Glenville State College,
president emeritus at
Lake Superior College
and a higher education
consultant for Registry
for College and University Presidents. Her
career includes secondary and postsecondary
instruction, counseling and administration in
student services and academic affairs.
Dr. Martin Roth
Dr. Martin Roth is the
president of University
of Charleston (UC). He
came to UC from the
Barney School of
Business at the
University of Hartford,
where he served as dean and professor of
management and marketing.
Dr. Peter Soscia
Dr. Peter Soscia is
the vice president of
academic affairs at
BridgeValley Community
& Technical College.
He holds a bachelor’s
degree in management,
a master’s degree in business administration
and a doctorate in education.
Katlin Swisher, Ph.D.
Katlin Swisher, Ph.D.,
is the assistant director
of marketing and
communications for
the Eberly College
of Arts and Sciences
and an instructor of
leadership studies at West Virginia University
(WVU) and the managing editor for the
Graduate Student Journal of Higher Education.
She holds a Ph.D. and master’s degree in higher
education administration and a bachelor’s
degree in journalism from WVU.
Dr. Chuck Terrell
Dr. Chuck Terrell
is the president of
Eastern West Virginia
Community &
Technical College.
He has 32 years of
community college
education experience, and prior to this position,
he was vice president of workforce development
services and lifelong learning at Virginia Western
Community College.
Tracy Toler
Tracy Toler scaled
Seneca Rocks at the
age of 5 and has been
reaching new heights
ever since. Through his
business, Tracy A. Toler
Photography, he has
served as creative director and feature photographer
for many of the region’s largest magazines. He
can be reached at [email protected].
Kristen Uppercue
Kristen Uppercue,
a senior journalism
major at West Virginia
University, is the editor
in chief at Mirage
Magazine. She is also
the student editor for
100 Days in Appalachia, where she curates
content for the publication. She enjoys traveling
and photography, spending most of her time
behind a camera.
Linda Vinson
Linda Vinson, a retired
professor of Mountwest
Community &
Technical College, now
serves as Mountwest’s
marketing consultant.
A graduate of the
University of Alabama, she holds a bachelor’s
degree in journalism and a master’s degree in
advertising and public relations.
Maureen Zambito
Maureen Zambito is
the director of media
relations at West Liberty
University. A native of
Wheeling, she holds
a bachelor’s degree in
liberal arts and has
worked in the field of communications and
public relations for 21 years. A lifelong resident
of the Mountain State, she enjoys travel,
exercise, reading, antiques and her family.