Carolyn “Biddy” Martin is the newly appointed president of Amherst College. She served as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin–Madison from September 2008 until August 2011. Prior to joining the UW-Madison, Martin was Cornell University provost, responsible for overseeing academic programs. She received her Ph.D. in German literature from UW–Madison in 1985. That same year, she joined Cornell’s faculty full time as an assistant professor of German studies and women’s studies. In 1991, she was promoted to associate professor in the Department of German Studies, with a joint appointment in the Women’s Studies Program. She served as chair of the Department of German Studies, and in 1997 was promoted to full professor in the department. In 1996, she was named senior associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences and was appointed as provost at Cornell University effective July 1, 2000. Biddy Martin is a distinguished scholar of German studies and author of numerous articles and two books.