MOULTRIE – The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District III selected Dr. Deidre Mercer Martin as the Mentor of the Year for the Southeast.  She received the award at the organization’s recent conference in Orlando, Florida on February 18.

Martin currently serves as the Gifts Officer for the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine South Georgia.

Martin, a 1981 graduate of Colquitt County High School, grew up on her family farm in South Georgia. So, she credits this upbringing for her strong work ethic and teamwork approach to her work.

“Being a mentor to others has been one of the greatest joys of my professional career,” said Martin. “I was fortunate to work for some amazing leaders through the years and took those lessons learned to heart when I had the opportunity to be a mentor. I am very honored to be recognized in this special way by CASE.”

Martin earned her bachelor’s degree from Berry College and her master’s degree from Georgia State University. Then, she earned her doctoral degree from the University of South Carolina. She has worked in higher education for nearly 40 years at several institutions. They are the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of South Carolina Aiken and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

Numerous awards throughout the year recognized her work in the advancement field. However, Martin said the comments of those she mentored who nominated her are one the greatest rewards she could receive. Those she mentored are now in advancement careers at institutions like the University of Alabama, Georgia Southern University and the University of West Georgia. Also, Western Carolina University, Columbia College, ABAC and the University of South Carolina.

Former ABAC staff member Ric Stewart, Director of Annual Giving at Georgia Southern University, said, “In sports, coaching trees are used to trace the influence of a head coach over his or her former players, assistants, and staff who later had successful coaching careers of their own. In higher education advancement, there are few leaders who have built a coaching tree of fundraising professionals as extensive as Dr. Deidre Martin. Like so many others, I’m grateful that Deidre hired me for my first job in fundraising, and I wouldn’t be where I am without her guidance, advice, and friendship. There’s no one more deserving of the CASE District III Mentor of the Year Award.”

“Deidre is a phenomenal leader. She has a unique way of encouraging her team and pushing them to always be moving forward. She always thinks of her team first. She has an eye for seeing someone’s potential before they even know it themselves. Her passion and determination is inspiring and always makes us want to be a better version of ourselves. She truly cares about those around her, and it shines through her work,” said Randi Hickman, advancement officer at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

The Mentor of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has made an impact on other advancement professionals through mentorship. Therefore, the award recognizes an individual who has provided guidance and support to their professional colleagues throughout their career. CASE District III advances and supports educational and professional institutions in the southeastern United States. It enhances the effectiveness of the alumni relations, fundraising, communications, marketing and other advancement professionals who serve them.