Fayetteville State University two-term Student Government Association President Maya Martin was honored with the 2023 John H. Barnhill Civic Trailblazer Award for Exceptional Leadership in Civic Innovation by NC Campus Engagement. The recognition highlighted her exceptional leadership and innovation in civic engagement. She has developed a reputation as a catalyst for positivity on campus and in her community.

“I’ve witnessed Maya creating and executing ideas to improve the student experience and to move our university forward,” said Office of Civic Engagement and Service-Learning Director Sherree Davis, Ed.D. in a press release. “She is very deserving of this recognition as an unwavering, compassionate and engaging leader on our campus, and as a representative of Fayetteville State University within the community and across North Carolina.”

Maya’s leadership also includes Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Chapter President, Student Government Association Presidents Consortium Region Director and myFutureNC intern. Throughout her college career, she has tirelessly pursued initiatives to elevate the voices of her peers and community members and empower them to make a difference. 

One of Maya’s proudest achievements is her role in the success of the "Trot to the Polls" event, which she organized and rallied more than 100 student and local community representatives to march to the polls. Her ability to motivate students to actively participate in the democratic process and understand the power of their vote helped lead the campus to a 97% voter registration rate.

For her work in civic engagement, she was featured on the local news and newspaper, recognized in the Forbes 2023 ALL IN Student Voting Honor Roll, selected as the Voter Registration, Education, and Mobilization Lead and Ambassador and Student Representative for the Voter ID Taskforce.