One of Florida A&M University’s longtime staff members and a die-hard Rattler is stepping down after nearly two decades of service, saying she now needs to help care for her mother-in-law.
FAMU alumna Carmen Cummings-Martin – assistant vice president for community affairs in FAMU’s Division of University Advancement – announced in a July 26 Facebook post that “the time has come to bid farewell.”She declined to comment on her decision but told the Tallahassee Democrat her last day is Aug. 7.
“Sometimes, life dictates a surprising pivot and results in mind-blowing decisions,” Cummings-Martin wrote on the social media post. “After much prayer and contemplation, I made the decision to accept the call to focus on another truly major assignment – one that is so dear to me and the heart of my family.”
She went on to explain that “Queen GIGI (Edwina Martin) needs more of my time and to me, that’s worth the sacrifice. Y’all know I don’t play when it comes to my faith and family. That’s everything to me and I make no apologies for that.
“… I feel so very honored, humbled and blessed for the opportunity to serve my beloved FAMU for 19 years. But the time has come to bid farewell.”
Cummings-Martin earned her bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism at FAMU in 1984. She began her career as an intern at WCTV before spending 18 years at the station, where she worked her way from weekend reporter to senior reporter and then 6 p.m. news anchor. After leaving television, she later worked on the staff of former U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd before joining FAMU in communications and alumni-relations leadership roles.
Prior to her current role, she simultaneously served as the university’s assistant vice president of Alumni Affairs and University Advancement as well as chief of staff after being appointed to that position by former interim President Timothy Beard in March 2025.
Before being promoted to the chief of staff role – which she no longer held after being replaced by current Chief of Staff Tony Lee in April – she was executive director of FAMU’s Office of Alumni Affairs in 2007, where she was responsible for foundation-related events for the university.
Throughout Cummings-Martin’s career, she has received several awards and recognitions that include the FAMU National Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumna of the Year Award and the National HBCU (Historically Black College and University) Alumni Director of the Year award.
It is unclear who will be taking on her role as assistant vice president for Community Affairs in the Division of University Advancement, and it is not clear if the position will be filled.
“Trust me when I say there are no dark clouds gathering on my turf,” Cummings-Martin wrote in the social media post. “I only see sprinkles of sunshine on my horizon. Thank you, FAMU. It’s been an amazing ride.”
Tarah Jean can be reached at tjean@tallahassee.com. Follow her on X: @tarahjean_.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Longtime FAMU staff member, alumna Carmen Cummings-Martin steps down
Reporting by Tarah Jean, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Tarah Jean, Tallahassee Democrat | USA TODAY Network
