Martha Nesbitt embodies what Girl Scouts hope they grow up to be - a community leader involved in business, education, politics and service.

Nesbitt, president of Gainesville State College since 1997, will be recognized as the 2011 Girl Scouts Woman of Distinction in March, and local Girl Scouts leaders can't say enough about her.

"She is tireless, and I admire her for the tremendous impact she's had on the local community during her long tenure as president," said Helen Ray, retired Brenau University provost and vice president for academic affairs who nominated Nesbitt for the award. "She sets such a wonderful example of being a superb role model as a strong professional balanced with being a devoted mother, grandmother, wife and member of her community."

When local Girl Scout members told Nesbitt about the recognition at a recent South Hall Rotary Club meeting, she said she was shocked.

"One of the Girl Scout leaders asked if I could meet before the Rotary meeting to do something for the program that day, and I innocently went to meet up," Nesbitt said Tuesday. "It took me totally by surprise and was a great honor because I love this community. I've never been in a community as giving in philanthropy and service, so I feel like the winner here."

Nesbitt is the first female president of Gainesville State College and one of six female presidents in the 35 higher education institutions of the University System of Georgia.

"Having been involved in higher education and women's education, I thought it was important to also focus on women's professional achievements. The award needs to reflect women's roles in society today," Ray said. "Many past recipients made great contributions in service and philanthropy but didn't have a strong career, and the woman of today and the future is someone who has a complex life that involves work, family and service."

Nesbitt helped to take Gainesville State College from a two-year college to one with four-year advanced degrees. After seeing a boom in enrollment, she helped the Oconee campus to become a reality in summer 2003. During the past few years, Nesbitt has been a statewide leader in addressing education budget cuts and tough issues such as whether to allow illegal immigrants to attend college.

Nesbitt has received several awards for being a female leader. As a member of the American Association for Women in Community Colleges for more than a decade, she received its 1995 Outstanding Woman of the Year award and its 2006 President of the Year award.

"When Martha was nominated, I jumped right on the bandwagon," said Jane Hemmer, who was on the nominating committee. "She's moved the institution and the whole community forward exponentially, and it's just phenomenal that she's been able to do that in such a short length of time."

Nesbitt will receive the award during a March 15 luncheon held at the First United Methodist Church on Thompson Bridge Road.

"Not long after she and her husband moved to Gainesville, we became friends," Hemmer said. "She's a skier, golfer and excellent bridge player and cook. Martha really has all the leadership skills that the Girl Scouts strive to instill in their program."