Dr. Martha T. Nesbitt is one of only five 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. 

During her presidency, the College has experienced an enrollment increase of 110% over the fall of 1998.  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) for more than a decade.  She was recognized by the AAWCC in 1995 as its “Outstanding Woman of the Year”, and she served as the 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 1988 and received an award for Meritorious Service in 2000.  She is currently serving a three-year term on the American Council on Education’s (ACE) Board of Directors.  She served as Chair of the Board at the Art Institution of Houston (2004-2005) and continues to serve on the Board.  She is currently serving as President of the Northeast Georgia History Center.

Closer to home, Dr. Nesbitt was recognized by the Gainesville Rotary Club 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 demand as an excellent speaker, she continues to address both professional and civic organizations serving on several boards.

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.