State board approves 3 DeSantis allies as university presidents. One drew protesters

Miami Herald

6 hours ago

When it comes to picking university presidents in Florida, traditional academics are so passé. Politicos are all the rage.
The state university system's Board of Governors followed that trend on Wednesday when it unanimously approved three new university presidents, each with strong ties to Gov. Ron DeSantis: former Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez at Florida International University, Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. as interim president of the University of West Florida and telecom executive Marva Johnson as president of Florida A&M University, the state's only public historically Black university.
Among the three confirmations, Johnson's appointment has drawn the most intense backlash. Her selection followed a divisive search process and came despite vocal opposition from students, alumni and even members of the FAMU Board of Trustees. At Wednesday's meeting, they continued to voice their concerns.
The board's confirmation votes — delivered with little debate — confirmed the new normal in Florida higher education: placing Republican insiders and political appointees in top academic leadership roles. Eleven of the 25 public university and state college presidency vacancies over the past five years have been filled by former GOP lawmakers or lobbyists.
The Board of Governors rejection of former University of Michigan president Santa Ono for the University of Florida presidency earlier this month confirmed that Florida is no longer interested in academic pedigree. Ono sat for a three-hour grilling about his views on diversity, equity and inclusion and other topics before the vote. By contrast, Wednesday's proceedings moved swiftly, even as Johnson's appointment sparked significant opposition and required special legislation to fund her contract.
Wednesday's bulk approvals further DeSantis' effort to cement his legacy of conservative higher-ed reforms as the term-limited governor winds down his second term. Now, five of Florida's 12 public universities are set to be led by DeSantis allies. Past appointments include former House Speaker Richard Corcoran — now president of New College of Florida, where he's steering the liberal-arts school rightward — and former House Majority Leader Adam Hasner, who was tapped earlier this year to lead Florida Atlantic University.
Nuñez and Diaz, like others recently appointed, lack terminal degrees — once considered standard for university presidents. Nuñez holds a bachelor's and master's from FIU; Diaz holds a master's and served as COO of Doral College, a small private institution. Johnson has a juris doctor from Georgia State University and no previous experience as a university administrator or HBCU affiliate.
Supporters argue that these leaders bring political savvy, fundraising ability and Tallahassee connections — assets that are increasingly valuable as education policy becomes more politicized. But critics warn that these appointees often lack academic credentials and experience in university governance, potentially alienating faculty and threatening the integrity of higher education.
Rattlers hiss at Johnson
At Wednesday's meeting, more than a dozen public speakers condemned Johnson as underqualified. Kimberly Godwin, a FAMU alumna and former ABC News president, said Johnson was 'underprepared and short-sighted' and 'did not earn' the privilege of running one of the nation's top-ranked public historically Black universities.
Johnson has never worked in higher education. Her background includes eight years on the Florida Board of Education — appointed first by former Gov. Rick Scott and later reappointed by DeSantis — as well as executive roles in the telecom industry. Critics noted her lack of ties to historically Black colleges and universities and her alignment with policies, including the DeSantis-backed bans on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, which many FAMU stakeholders see as hostile to their institution's mission.
But Board of Governors members defended the selection, pointing to her credentials as a corporate executive and her service on various state boards. Vice Chair Alan Levine, who sat on FAMU's presidential search committee, praised Johnson's 'resilience and spine' amid public attacks and called her a 'highly qualified and excellent candidate.'
'She deserves this opportunity because she earned it,' Levine said.
Board member Paul Renner, a former House Speaker, likened Johnson's situation to that of the late John Thrasher, a Republican lawmaker whose controversial appointment as Florida State University president in 2014 eventually won broad support.
'Marva Johnson's success is FAMU's success,' Renner said. 'We all want to see that success.'
Addressing her critics, Johnson said she was committed to steering the Tallahassee-based school through a shifting higher-education landscape and promised to work alongside the FAMU community to 'chart a unified path to elevate student success.'
'As I step into this role, I recognize the legacy that I carry,' Johnson said. 'To the Rattler community … I am listening and I hear your dreams and I hear your concerns and my door will always be open.'
Still, as Johnson spoke, two dozen FAMU students and alumni stood and turned their backs in protest. One woman in the audience wept. After the board's vote, many walked out.
FAMU dips into reserves for Johnson's salary
While Johnson's path was fraught, Nuñez and Diaz faced comparatively little opposition.
Nuñez, who had been serving as FIU's interim president since February, was confirmed to a five-year contract with a $925,000 base salary and performance bonuses up to $400,000 annually. A former state representative and DeSantis' lieutenant governor, Nuñez is the first FIU alum to lead the university.
Diaz, who is stepping down as Florida's education commissioner, will earn a $643,000 salary at UWF — $324,000 more than his current role. His contract also includes a $60,000 housing allowance, a $24,000 relocation stipend and a provision allowing the use of donor funds for local club memberships. He begins July 14.
Johnson's pay package became a flashpoint in the debate. Her $650,000 base salary and $836,000 total compensation exceed that of her predecessor, Larry Robinson, by over $300,000. Due to a state law that caps taxpayer-funded presidential salaries at $200,000, FAMU's fundraising foundation was expected to cover the rest. But with the foundation only committing $388,562, the Legislature passed a last-minute budget provision allowing the university to dip into reserves to make up the shortfall.
Johnson's appointment follows former President Robinson's resignation in July 2024, amid fallout from a scandal involving a bogus $237 million donation pledge. Interim President Timothy Beard has been serving in the role since August.
When Johnson steps into her Rattler-in-Chief position Aug. 1, she'll take over a school that has been mired in controversies over financial mismanagement. Prior to her approval vote, the Board of Governors on Wednesday grilled FAMU leadership over a state audit showing poor fiscal oversight.
Gabrielle Albert, a lifetime member of the FAMU National Alumni Association, told the Miami Herald that by hiring Johnson, the university and state boards were placing the school 'in harm's way.' She said the school would have been better off with FAMU's current chief operating officer, Donald Palm, who had emerged as the community favorite during the presidential search.
'This has nothing to do with her being a good previous government employee; she's not qualified to leave the school,' Albert said of Johnson. 'I mean, if you have financial issues, are you going to hire a COO, or are you going to hire a federal lobbyist?'