Investing in Research: How Dr. Anna Martin Is Shaping the Future of Finance Education

At St. John’s University, the Hearts on Fire campaign reflects a shared commitment to expanding opportunity, strengthening academic excellence, and investing in the future of students. Through a generous philanthropic gift, Dr. Anna D. Martin, Professor of Finance, Alois J. Theis Endowed Chair in Global Finance, and Executive Director of the Applied Finance Institute, established the Anna and Roque Martin Professorship in Finance, creating a lasting investment in faculty research and student success at The Peter J. Tobin College of Business. For Dr. Martin, the professorship represents a natural extension of her lifelong dedication to education and impact. 

Recognized across the Tobin College of Business for her teaching, research, and service, Dr. Martin believes that the most effective classrooms are led by professors who remain active contributors to their fields. “The students in the Tobin College of Business deserve professors who are credible thought leaders,” she says. “Faculty who engage in meaningful research bring depth, relevance, and real insight into the classroom.”  

The Anna and Roque Martin Professorship in Finance supports faculty pursuing rigorous research while continuing to teach and mentor students. By investing in teacher-scholars, the gift ensures that Tobin classrooms stay connected to evolving industry questions and emerging financial trends. For Dr. Martin, the goal was simple: strengthen the link between research and teaching. 

“The Anna and Roque Martin Professorship reflects the kind of forward-thinking leadership that defines and strengthens Tobin's future,” says Dean Maciek Nowak, Ph.D. “Dr. Martin’s generosity advances faculty scholarship while elevating the College’s global impact and academic excellence.”  

Her perspective comes from firsthand experience. “Whenever I would bring my research expertise into the classroom, I found my students to be more engaged,” she explains. “They recognize when their professor is extending textbook material with authority and depth of knowledge.”    

Students exposed to faculty scholarship gain insight into how financial theory evolves and how academic research influences real-world decision making, preparing them to think critically about the future of the profession. 

Faculty research also strengthens Tobin’s global reputation. When professors present work at leading conferences and publish in respected journals, they signal that the College is committed to rigorous scholarship and innovative thought. The professorship helps make this work possible by supporting essential elements of research, including academic travel and collaboration. 

Beyond its academic purpose, the professorship reflects Dr. Martin’s personal philosophy on leadership, education, and giving back. She credits three foundational pillars that have guided both her career and her philanthropy: the power of a strong education, a commitment to her Catholic faith and service, and a steadfast belief in opportunity shaped by competition and individual freedom supported by capitalism.  

Through the Anna and Roque Martin Professorship in Finance, Dr. Martin’s legacy will continue to shape the experiences of Tobin students for years to come. By empowering faculty to pursue meaningful research and bring new ideas into the classroom, the professorship strengthens a culture where learning is dynamic, relevant, and grounded in real-world impact. As the Hearts on Fire campaign continues to unite the University community, her gift stands as a reminder that investing in faculty scholarship is ultimately an investment in students and their future.