Martina Hansen

Creating a supportive and inclusive experience for diverse learners is a top priority for educational institutions today. This mission requires a multi-faceted approach, particularly when addressing the needs of non-traditional students and adult learners. At the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), efforts focus on understanding the unique circumstances of their students and tailoring support to help them succeed.

Max Webber, Co-Host of The Interview, spoke with Martina Hansen, Senior Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer at UMGC, to discuss her approach to creating a cohesive student experience and her commitment to intentional student engagement.

Martina’s Journey 

Max: Let’s start with a brief introduction to yourself and your institution…

My name is Martina Hansen. I’m the Senior Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer at the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC). A little about myself – I’ve lived and worked all over the United States, focusing on student experience. My work includes transforming business and academic models, implementing enterprise technology solutions to better support learners, and overseeing frontline support teams such as admissions, advising, and student financial services. What I truly enjoy is bringing people, processes, and technology together to create impactful solutions.

Personally, I live in Virginia with my husband and three children – a two-year-old, a four-year-old, and a twelve-year-old. UMGC’s headquarters in Maryland is just a short commute for me, and I’ve loved becoming part of this vibrant community.

Max: What inspired you to pursue a career in Student Affairs?

It all started when I was 22 and became an Admissions Advisor. I loved engaging with learners and helping them figure out their path. From there, I was fortunate to grow within my first institution, taking on roles like manager, director, and eventually Vice President of Continuous Improvement. That position gave me the opportunity to work across departments and encourage collaboration toward shared goals.

At each step of my career, my focus has been on breaking down silos and creating alignment between teams to better serve students. At UMGC, our Student Affairs division is relatively new. UMGC President Gregory Fowler established it four years ago to bring together student support and academic support teams under one umbrella. Leading this integrated approach has been incredibly exciting because it’s all about supporting our learners and ensuring their success.

Max: How are you promoting a sense of unity and cohesion across your student body, particularly in light of increasing polarization and global tensions?

UMGC’s context is a little different from that of traditional institutions. Our learners are primarily adults in the workforce – more than 50% are military-affiliated, 91% are employed, and 80% work full-time. Most of our courses are online or in hybrid format (we also have a long history of offering in-person classes on military bases around the world) These students often face unique challenges, balancing education with work and family responsibilities.

Our goal is to support students where they are. We acknowledge that UMGC is often not their top priority – their families, careers, and other commitments come first. Instead of asking students to fit into our framework, we focus on how we can help them navigate their goals while managing these competing demands. Listening to their needs and adapting to them is central to our approach.

Max: Students have busy lives outside of their studies. How do you engage them with key topics and initiatives?

We put a lot of thought into intentional engagement. It starts with understanding who our students are – not just their demographics but also their experiences and perceptions. To do this, President Fowler and  I host monthly roundtables with students. These are intimate, focused discussions where we ask what we’re doing well, what needs improvement, and what they need to succeed. We take detailed notes, share them with leadership, and act quickly on feedback.

We also conduct one-on-one conversations, focus groups, and user testing to ensure students are part of our decision-making process. For example, we never launch a new initiative without inviting students to review and test it. Additionally, UMGC is part of the University System of Maryland, which operates on a shared governance model. Through our Student Advisory Council, students from all the schools in the system have a seat at the table when we’re making major decisions. We follow up consistently so they know their input has a tangible impact. Being intentional about listening to and acting on student feedback is at the core of our mission.

Max: What’s the top piece of advice you’ve received in your career that you’d pass on to others?

I’ve received a lot of advice over the years, but one that really stands out comes from President Fowler. He often reminds us of the advice he once got from his mother: that we have two eyes, two ears, and one mouth for a reason – to watch and listen more than we speak. As leaders, it’s easy to dominate the conversation, but truly understanding others’ perspectives is crucial. Engaging with diverse viewpoints, especially those that challenge our own, helps us become better leaders. It’s something I remind myself of daily: observe, listen, and then respond thoughtfully. This advice has served me well in my career, and I’d encourage others to keep it in mind as they navigate their own paths.