Mario Martinez is guiding Fort Lewis College through a bold era of innovation as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. He plays a central role in shaping the College’s AI strategy to ensure FLC’s central role in exploring technological innovation in areas such as preparing career-ready graduates and responsible AI use for institutional effectiveness. Under his leadership, FLC has launched a series of high-profile AI initiatives, including the founding of the AI Institute and a National Institutes of Health grant to improve rural health outcomes through AI-powered tools.

Martinez brings a national perspective to the local work of Fort Lewis College. His career spans executive roles in university systems, national research centers, and grant-funded innovation projects. He past positions include Vice Chancellor for Strategy and Innovation at the National University System, professor in the department of Educational Psychology and Higher Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and an affiliate faculty member at the University of Minnesota’s Jandris Center for the study of innovation in higher education. Across these positions, he has championed interdisciplinary collaboration, strategic transformation, and access to education.

At FLC, Martinez is helping to frame artificial intelligence not just as a technical tool but as a catalyst for inclusive learning and community engagement. He regularly collaborates with faculty and regional leaders to explore the ethical, social, and educational dimensions of AI in the Four Corners region. His leadership reflects FLC’s commitment to integrating technology with purpose, preparing students to lead in rapidly evolving fields.