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DeSantis Ally Set to Lead Florida’s only Public HBCU, Sparking Backlash
LEON COUNTY, FLORIDA, JUN 17 – Marva Johnson was unanimously confirmed despite lawsuits and community opposition citing a rigged process and concerns over her $650,000 salary and lack of academic experience.
- The Florida A&M University Board of Trustees voted 8-4 in May to select telecommunications executive Marva Johnson as the institution’s 13th president.
- Johnson's selection followed a search process led by Vice Chair Deveron Gibbons, who added her as a finalist despite her lack of traditional academic credentials, sparking claims of political influence tied to Governor Ron DeSantis.
- Thousands of students, alumni, and faculty protested Johnson’s appointment through meetings, social media, and a petition gathering over 18,000 signatures, highlighting concerns about her qualifications and political alignment.
- The Board approved Johnson’s five-year contract with a $650,000 base salary plus $86,000 in bonuses, but the FAMU Foundation lacks funds to cover amounts exceeding the state's $200,000 cap, prompting a legislative bill to authorize additional funding.
- An emergency injunction and lawsuit filed by alumni and students allege violations of state law and seek to block Johnson’s confirmation by the Florida Board of Governors, who is scheduled to vote on June 18 amid ongoing controversy.
35 Articles
35 Articles
Good Morning America
Three more DeSantis allies to take the helm of public universities in Florida
FAMU Students Protest New President With Ties to DeSantis
FAMU Students Say DeSantis Ally’s Appointment Feels Like a Political Takeover, Not Progress Florida A&M University (FAMU)—Florida’s only public historically Black college—has become the latest battleground in what many see as a larger political strategy to weaken Black institutions from within. Despite vocal opposition from students, faculty, and alumni, Marva Johnson, a telecommunications executive with ties to Governor Ron DeSantis’ administra…
Nuñez Confirmed as FIU President
The Florida Board of Governors on Wednesday confirmed Jeanette Nuñez as the seventh president of Florida International University, making her the first graduate of the university to lead the institution. The confirmation follows a unanimous vote by the FIU Board of Trustees on June 2 and comes after Nuñez served as interim president since February. Prior to her interim role, she spent 15 years in public service, including as a state representati…
State university system board approves 3 DeSantis allies as new presidents
TALLAHASSEE — As Gov. Ron DeSantis seeks to remake higher education in Florida, the state university system’s Board of Governors on Wednesday signed off on controversial new leaders at two universities and approved hiring a former lieutenant governor as president of a third. The board’s confirmations of the DeSantis’ allies cemented decisions by university boards of trustees to hire former Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez as president of Florida Internat…
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