Provost Marlin Means Business
SDSU Provost Nancy Marlin was honored as one of the top Women Who Mean Business.
The San Diego Business Journal recently hosted their 20th Annual Women Who Mean Business Awards honoring women business leaders who contribute to and make a significant difference in San Diego.
Out of 160 nominees, 30 were selected to receive the award including San Diego State University’s Provost Nancy Marlin.
“This is a recognition that goes to the university as a whole. Everything I do is because of the fabulous people here at SDSU,” said Marlin, who has served as provost for 15 years. “I don’t do this job by myself. It takes faculty, administrators and staff. Our success is really the work of everybody."
Mary Ruth Carleton, vice president for university relations and development, nominated the provost for her commitment to higher education and her dedication to the betterment of SDSU.
Because the provost is stepping down from her position and returning to the faculty this year, Carleton thought it was a perfect time to honor Marlin and her dedication to education.
“As I considered candidates for the ‘Women Who Mean Business’ nomination, Provost Marlin came immediately to mind, said Carleton. “Her tireless commitment to the students of San Diego State has left an impact on our campus that will be felt for many years. It is a wonderful culmination of her time here to be recognized for this honor.”
A career of firsts
For Marlin, it is an honor to be recognized among so many successful women. She is the first female provost of SDSU and has been the first female in many roles throughout her career.
“It’s nice to know that the next woman provost here at SDSU won’t have to be the first. This is what we were fighting for — to no longer be the first woman in the room,” she said.
Marlin previously held administrative and faculty positions at the University of Missouri and the University of Northern Iowa. She is a Professor of Psychology and holds a B.A. from SUNY Binghamton, a M.S. from Oklahoma State University, and a Ph.D. in experimental psychology from The City University of New York.
She has been awarded an Honorary Master’s of Business Administration degree from the Universidad de Valparaíso (Chile), and an Honorary Doctor of laws degree from California Western School of Law.
In the fall, Marlin will return to the faculty, working in areas she is most passionate about including international studies.
Aztecs honored
Marlin was not the only Aztec honored with the Women Who Mean Business Award this year. Alumna Jenny Amaraneni, CEO and co-founder of SOLO Eyewear, who graduated from SDSU with an MBA in entrepreneurship in 2011, was also recognized.
With the help of the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center Amaraneni was able to start her own company, which donates a pair of prescription eyeglasses or funds surgeries for those in need for every pair of sunglasses sold.
