Lizbeth Martin, president of Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, California, has announced her plans to retire on July 1, 2026.
Dr. Matin was named the university’s nineteenth president in 2021. Since assuming her presidency, Notre Dame de Namur has transitioned to a graduate and online-focused model, strengthened its financial position, and significantly increased its student enrollment. From 2001 to 2006, she was founding dean of the university’s School of Science.
Although she served as vice president for academic affairs and provost at Holy Names University in Oakland, California, from 2006 to 2018, she remained on the faculty at Notre Dame de Namur until her presidential appointment. After leaving Holy Names, she served as interim provost and senior vice president at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington.
A developmental psychobiologist by training, Dr. Martin earned her undergraduate degree from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and her Ph.D. from Stanford University in California.


