Dr. Martha T. Nesbitt is one of only seven female presidents in the 35 institutions of the University System of Georgia and the first female president of Gainesville State College. Having taken over leadership of the College in 1997, Dr. Nesbitt has continued to shape the institution to better serve as an educational and cultural resource in northeast Georgia.
Under Dr. Nesbitt’s leadership, the College experienced a 174% enrollment increase during the ten year period, Fall Semester 2000 to Fall Semester 2010, when enrollment increased from 3,256 students to 8.900 students. This impressive growth has been made possible by the addition of the Oconee Campus in Watkinsville and continuing growth on the Gainesville Campus. Dr. Nesbitt realized the need for a two-year college in the area east of Gainesville and through her strong and effective vision, the Oconee Campus became a reality in the summer of 2003.
Respected for her role in the promotion and progression of education in our state, region and nation, Dr. Nesbitt has lent her talents and expertise to quite a few organizations, including the American Association for Women in Community Colleges (AAWCC). In 1995, the AAWCC recognized her as its “Outstanding Woman of the Year,” and she served as its president from 1999–2002. In 2006, AAWCC recognized her as “President of the Year.” The Georgia Association of Colleges chose Dr. Nesbitt to serve as president, 2002-2003. In 2004, she was asked to join the Board of Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education. Dr. Nesbitt has served the Commission on Colleges (COC) of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) in a number of roles since 1983 and received an award for Meritorious Service in 2000. She served a three-year (2004-06) term on the American Council on Education’s (ACE) Board of Directors. She served on the Board at the Art Institution of Houston (2001-2010) and was the Chair of the Board from 2001-2005. The Turknett Leadership Group, in partnership with Kennesaw State’s Siegel Institute for Leadership, Ethics and Character, presented Dr. Nesbitt with the Turknett Leadership Character Education Category Award in 2009.
Closer to home, Dr. Nesbitt was recognized by the Rotary Club of Gainesville for Excellence in Vocational Service in 2003, was named Business Woman of the Year by the American Business Women’s Association in 2004 and received the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce Silver Shovel Award, also in 2004. In 2003, she served as Chair for the 33rd International Canoe Federation Flatwater Racing World Championships Award Ceremony Committee; in 2005, she served as the Fund Drive Chair for the United Way of Hall County; and she served as President of the Northeast Georgia History Center in 2007. Currently she serves as the President-Elect of the Rotary Club of Gainesville; is a member of the Northeast Georgia Health System Board and serves on its Executive Committee as well as its Governance Committee; and serves as a Lay Reader and Chalice Bearer at Grace Episcopal Church.
Dr. Nesbitt earned her B.A. and M.A.T. degrees from Duke University and her Ph.D. in History from Georgia State University. She and her husband, John P. “Pete” Nesbitt, have two adult children, Ann Weber and John Nesbitt.