Dr. Edwin Martinez Joins MCCC as Dean for Science and Health Professions 2-14--06   Dr. Edwin A. Martinez has joined MCCC as Dean for Science and Health Professions. He comes from Louisiana State University at Alexandria, where he served as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences for the past two years. Dr. Martinez brings many years of experience to Mercer. For five years he was Dean of Science, Math and Engineering at Ocean County College; and before that served as Dean of the College of Science and Technology at Texas A&M International University. He also served as chairman of the departments of Biology at the University of West Florida and the State University of New York--College at Old Westbury. He held Visiting Scientist privileges at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Originally from Brooklyn, Dr. Martinez earned his Ph.D. in Zoology and Physiological Ecology from the University of New Hampshire and has a special interest in environmental sciences. He has developed programs in those areas and hopes to introduce them at Mercer.   “I am happy to be here,” he said. “I have always been an advocate for student success, and I hope to work closely with the faculty to enhance the fine opportunities that already exist at Mercer. Everyone I met here is so dedicated; we have a good faculty.” One of the principal reasons Dr. Martinez has returned to New Jersey is the huge impact of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated Louisiana and caused major deficits in the state’s budget. Although Alexandria itself was not affected, the storm’s repercussions were felt throughout the region. Dr. Martinez recently relocated to Hamilton Township. “My wife, Karen, and I wanted to come back home to New Jersey,” he said. “We look forward to a good long stay here and to working closely with our colleagues to benefit the students at MCCC.” Science and Health Professions website Directions to MCCC Return to What's New