Charles R. Martinez

Charles R. Martinez Jr. is a professor in the Department of Educational Psychology with additional faculty appointments in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education and the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy. He holds the Sid W. Richardson Regents Chair in Education.

Martinez served as the 12th dean of the College of Education at The University of Texas at Austin from January 2019 until August 2026. Under his ambitious leadership, the college strengthened its national rankings and enhanced its global reputation, rising to No. 6 among U.S. colleges of education and No. 4 among public institutions.

A steadfast champion for academic excellence and student success, Martinez expanded the college's research portfolio and deepened partnerships with communities across Texas. Most importantly, his leadership helped prepare generations of Longhorns to shape the future of education, health and sport. During his tenure, undergraduate enrollment increased by more than 45%, and the college achieved an 82% four-year graduation rate—among the highest at UT. He also helped to grow the number of grant-active faculty members by 70%, and organized the college to make historic investments in financial support for graduate students.

Martinez advanced the mission of the college through Reimagine Education, the college's bold and strategic vision to transform education and health outcomes, eliminate disparities and expand access to a high-quality education in underserved communities.

He also serves as founding director of the Center for Research for Community Impact (CRCI), a UT Austin-organized research unit with more than 60 affiliates across nine UT colleges and schools, and with a $32 million active research budget. CRCI supports and conducts high-quality applied research, disseminates evidence-based information and builds capacity among scholars to reduce and ultimately eliminate education and health disparities in Texas and beyond.

Martinez drove several college-wide signature initiatives, including the Texas Education THRIVE teacher mentoring program, a program that supports early-career educators; the LONESTARP3 collaborative research and policy network; and Hook 'Em Here Harlingen, a student internship program that prepares future teachers through hands-on experience.

With generous support from donors and alumni, Martinez oversaw the college's successful effort to more than double its goal in the University-wide What Starts Here campaign, raising more than $206 million to fund student scholarships, academic programs, research initiatives and renovations in the Sánchez Building and Bellmont Hall. Upon completion of his tenure as dean, donors and friends of the college established the Charles R. Martinez Jr. Endowment for Research Strengthening Communities in his honor.

Following his distinguished tenure as dean, Martinez returned to the work that has defined much of his career as a professor, researcher and mentor.

His scholarly work and research focus on identifying factors that hinder or promote the success of children and families from underserved populations. A prevention scientist specializing in addressing education and health disparities, Martinez is committed to translating evidence-based practices from clinical settings into communities with limited access to those resources. His work also explores how cultural and community strengths can advance the development and success of U.S.- and foreign-born Latino youth and their families.

Martinez has led numerous national and international research projects examining the risk and protective factors that contribute to education and behavioral health disparities. His work also focuses on developing culturally specific interventions for at-risk families in the United States and in Latin America through randomized-controlled trial research.

Together with colleagues, Martinez has secured more than $48 million in federal and international grants. His research has been supported by the Institute of Education Sciences, the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Before joining UT Austin, Martinez served as the Philip H. Knight Professor in the Department of Educational Methodology, Policy, and Leadership at the University of Oregon, where he was also the founding director of the federally funded Center for Equity Promotion. From 2005 to 2011, he served in senior university leadership roles as vice president and vice provost.

In addition to his university leadership roles, he served as an elected member of the Eugene School Board and as a governor-appointed member and chair of the Oregon State Board of Education.

Martinez has taught courses in educational leadership, social determinants of health, cultural adaptation and contextualization of evidence-based practices, equity and achievement in K-12 education, prevention science and research methods.

A first-generation college graduate, Martinez earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Pitzer College and a master's degree and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology.