The University of West Florida Board of Trustees chair, Rebecca Matthews, will recommend that the board give President Dr. Martha Saunders a performance incentive payment.
Background: At the May 27, 2025, Special Board Meeting the Board of Trustees waived the requirements of University Policy BOT-14.01-06/17 and authorized the Board of Trustees Chair to gather information for the President’s evaluation for the 2024-25 performance period to date and the incentive compensation for President Saunders as described in her contract. The Board of Trustees Chair will then bring the information gathered to the Board of Trustees at their June 12, 2025, Board Meeting, for their final deliberations and approval.
- Matthews spoke with Board of Governors Chair Brian Lamb regarding President Saunders’ performance over the past year. She will report that conversation at the board’s June 12.
The agenda leaves the amount of the performance incentive payment blank. See Performance Item.
The item states:
At the Board of Trustees meeting held on June 12, 2025, in accordance with the Performance Incentive Payment contemplated in President Saunders’ employment agreement and given the University’s continued academic and administrative progress as shown in the completion of the President’s stated goals for fiscal year 2025 and the accomplishments of UWF, the Board approves a performance incentive payment of [Chair Matthews will report to the Board]%.
This fits Matthews’ pattern of hiding information from the public until right before the meeting.
- The Trustees have accepted Saunders’ resignation. Her last day will be July 13.
Dig Deeper
The 14-Point Framework for Excellence
UWF’s presidential evaluation relies on a comprehensive framework that reflects the multifaceted nature of university leadership:
Academic and Strategic Leadership:
- Performance against Board of Governors (BOG) Performance-Based Funding Metrics and Strategic Plan alignment
- Responsiveness to BOG strategic goals and system-wide compliance
- Implementation of the university’s strategic plan and accountability measures
- Promotion of academic excellence and student success
Administrative Excellence:
- Responsible fiscal management
- Effective supervision of key personnel
- The president’s own self-evaluation and goal achievement
- Key Performance Indicators tracking
External Relations and Reputation:
- Government and community relationship building
- University reputation enhancement
- Management of university-affiliated entity relationships
- University advancement and fundraising success
Institutional Culture:
- Promotion of ethical conduct throughout the university