Martin Named New Leader of Academic Center for Excellence

Bluefield College has a new dean of academic support and the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE). His name is Dr. Darrin Martin, and he’s no stranger to Bluefield having been born and raised in Bluefield, Virginia. 

Dr. Martin earned his bachelor’s degree from Bluefield State College to become a teacher. He later earned a master’s degree in administration from Radford University before earning his doctorate from Virginia Tech. 

He holds 28 years of experience in public school education, beginning first by teaching in McDowell County, West Virginia. He later became a teacher and administrator in Tazewell County, Virginia. This helped him get a job at Concord University where he was the director of Teacher Education. While at Concord he helped co-develop the Education Leadership Program which helps teachers learn how to become successful principles. 

Dr. Martin’s career continued with the West Virginia State Department of Education where he helped schools improve their student test scores. That work led to him becoming a consultant during which time he was able to travel to more than 15 different states across the country providing help to schools seeking to improve their academic achievement for students. 

In addition to his wealth of experience and positive attributes, Dr. Martin brings a genuine care for students to the ACE. He said his hope is to help students achieve their goals so that they may become successful in the future. He added that he wants to build relationships with students so that they are inclined to visit the ACE for academic help, if needed.

Dr. Martin’s goal for the ACE is that students feel welcome at all times with whatever problems they have throughout the school year. He said that does not mean simply academics, but can also be on a personal level. He said he is willing to help students overcome their obstacles whatever they may be. 

“I want students to feel welcome here and to know that they can come ask for help anytime,” Dr. Martin said, “and we will do our best to serve them.”

Dr. Martin also said he wants to ensure that he, along with his staff, take the necessary measures to help BC students get their degree. He hopes that students will take advantage of the help being offered. He added that he understands that students may feel the need to work on their own for a number of reasons — either they’re too busy with sports, work, school, or personal issues, — but that getting help from someone is not a bad thing; it is a way to make life simpler. 

“God did not mean for us to be alone,” Dr. Martin said. “He wants us to intertwine and work together, to understand that asking for help is a good thing.”

Dr. Martin added that by working with others it allows us to build relationships and figure out problems in our lives, no matter what they may be, more efficiently.

Dr. Martin hopes that this year will be a stepping stone for him and his staff to help better the ACE in whatever ways they deem necessary. But the only way he can do this, he said, is with the help of the students .

“Listening to students, thats the key,” Dr. Martin said. “They will tell us what they need.” 

Students looking for more information about the ACE and the services provided should contact Dr. Martin by email at dmartin@bluefield.edu or simply stop by the ACE located in the lower level of Rish Hall.