Three more DeSantis allies to take the helm of public universities in Florida
The state board that oversees Florida's public universities has confirmed three more allies of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis to become university presidents.
It's a move supporters say will grant the schools the political capital to secure critical state funding and navigate a rapidly shifting legal landscape, and one that critics see as another sign that alignment with the governor's conservative education agenda has become a prerequisite for academic leadership in the state.
The elevation of two Republican former lawmakers and a lobbyist comes after the state Board of Governors rejected the nomination of a longtime academic to lead the University of Florida, amid conservative backlash against his past support for diversity, equity and inclusion programs that board members viewed as unacceptable liberal ideology.
With the appointments approved Wednesday, five of the state's 12 public universities will be led by former Republican lawmakers or lobbyists, a move that will help bolster DeSantis' legacy in higher education that could long outlast his time in office.
Leading a Florida universities generally come with a multiyear contract for a salary of at least six-figures and a plush on-campus residence. The process for picking these leaders happens largely behind closed doors, creating what the state's Republican House speaker has called 'a spoil system for a select few.'
DeSantis' former lieutenant governor, Jeanette Nuñez. was confirmed as the president of Florida International University in Miami. Meanwhile, telecommunications lobbyist Marva Johnson was tapped to lead Florida A&M University, the state's only public historically Black university. Johnson was previously a DeSantis appointee on the state board of education.
Manny Diaz, a former state lawmaker and state education commissioner under DeSantis, was picked to lead the University of West Florida in Pensacola on an interim basis, mirroring the appointment of Nuñez, who was first named interim president before getting the permanent job at FIU.
Johnson's appointment, in particular, has alarmed FAMU students and alumni, who begged the board not to confirm her on Wednesday, arguing that she failed to meet the job's minimum requirements and that her requested salary far exceeds her predecessor's. Johnson's appointment has stoked longstanding fears that the HBCU could be merged with Florida State University, the predominantly white institution across the railroad tracks.
'I can't decide if her appointment is politically motivated, gross negligence on the part of the board, or just you guys wanting to get rid of FAMU altogether,' alumnus Angelo Pettis told the Board of governors.
Board members defended Johnson, her credentials as a telecoms executive and her service on various state boards. Johnson addressed the concerns of FAMU students and supporters, saying she's "ready to lead with boldness" and committed to working alongside them.
'I remain deeply committed to ensuring that the legacy of the university is not lost,' Johnson said.
___ Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
33 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Australian universities suffer a dramatic fall in global rankings
Australia's reputation in global higher education has taken a major blow, with the 2026 QS World University Rankings revealing a steep decline for more than 70 per cent of the nation's universities. A total of 25 Australian universities dropped in rank this year, with only two now remaining in the world's top 20. The University of Melbourne continues to lead domestically but fell six spots to 19th globally, down from 13th last year. The University of New South Wales also declined slightly, slipping from 19th to 20th. The University of Sydney suffered the most significant fall among the top-tier institutions, dropping seven places from 18th to 25th, removing it from the prestigious global top 20 altogether. Monash University was the only Australian university to improve its standing, edging up from 37th to 36th. Angela Calderon of RMIT University, a member of the QS Global Rankings board, described the rankings as 'a wake-up call' in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald. 'We are experiencing an acceleration in the pace of change in higher education globally. Universities from emerging, middle-income economies and Asian countries are now global standouts,' Calderon said. The rankings arrive amid growing criticism that Australia's university sector is failing to meet the evolving needs of students and society. Professor John Quiggin, an economist at the University of Queensland and author of a recent report for the Australia Institute, was scathing in his assessment. 'Australia's universities are plagued with scandal and failing dismally,' he said. 'Australian universities are overseen by Vice-Chancellors who are paid vast sums of money, yet they are presiding over a sector which is failing staff, students and the broader community,' Quiggin added. The sector has also drawn fire for its heavy reliance on international student enrolments, which provide a major source of revenue due to significantly higher tuition fees. Government data shows 1,095,298 overseas students were enrolled in Australian universities, colleges, and schools in 2024, a 13 per cent increase from 969,307 in 2023. In response, the federal government has implemented measures to curb international enrolments, aiming to reduce the number to 270,000 this year. Despite the surge in student numbers, Australia ranks poorly on staff-to-student ratios, sitting 26th lowest in the world. This follows years of staff cuts across the university sector. Western Sydney University recently became a flashpoint for growing unrest, with protests erupting after it announced hundreds of job losses due to a 'large deterioration' in enrolments. The university forecasts a deficit of $79 million by 2026. Similarly, the University of Technology Sydney has announced it may cut up to 400 positions as part of a $100 million cost-saving drive. Macquarie University meanwhile also announced course cuts and reduction in staff, which would see around 75 jobs go. The QS World University Rankings is published annually by global higher education analysts QS Quacquarelli Symonds. It is based on data from 8,467 institutions, insights from 127,041 academics and 82,096 employers, and analysis of 19.8 million academic papers and 200 million citations.
Daily Mail
42 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
National anthem singer reveals true extent of fury at her incendiary ICE protest before Dodgers game
Singer Vanessa Hernandez has revealed she has received death threats following her ICE protest at a Los Angeles Dodgers game last week. The 30-year-old, known by her stage name Nezza, defied orders from the Dodgers to sing a Spanish rendition of the American national anthem before Saturday's game against the San Francisco Giants. The Dominican singer claimed they tried to stop her performing the Star Spangled Banner in Spanish, before she did it anyway as a show of solidarity with ICE protestors in the city. Nezza executed the poignant tribute against the Dodgers' wishes on the day of 'No Kings' protests across the US over Donald Trump 's controversial immigration policies, which came after a week of unrest in LA. She has now told TMZ that online trolls have sent her death threats but she stands by her decision to sing in Spanish and is adamant she's 'on the right side of history'. Nezza also revealed that George Lopez, Becky G and other musicians had reached out to offer their support. She said: 'I have received quite the backlash but it's been way more positive and love so that kind of outweighs that. I already knew in my heart that what I did was right but this triple confirms it for me. 'The death threats are one things but that's just the internet. I'm taking that as that is going to come from something like this. Anything that involves politics is going to involve a death threat. 'The main thing I have been seeing is that it was "disrespectful". I don't think it was because the lyrics are the exact same as the English version. 'I am a proud American. I was born here, raised her, my dreams came true here in LA and I think being a proud American and still wanting better for your country can be the same truth and I think people are forgetting that.' After Nezza posted a clip on TikTok which showed a Dodgers official telling her to sing the anthem in English, before she stunningly defied that request, a large portion of the team's fans heaped praise on her. One replied to her latest TikTok video by saying: '50 year dodgers fan & proud of you, no more games til they make this right.' 'As a la native and a dodgers fan, I'm disappointed in them,' said another. 'I'm so glad you SANNNG it in Spanish even though they told you not too! You got a new follower queen'. 'God damn. Dodgers have botched the last week pretty badly,' another fan posted on X about the anthem controversy. While one said about Nezza: 'Good for her. The @dodgers are being hypocritical. They'll have Mexico Night, hire Mariachis to play at the games, & have surely cashed in on billions of $ of revenue from a loyal Latino fan-base, much of it undocumented. Maybe when/if they get hit in the pocketbook….' However, other members of the Dodgers faithful were less impressed by her protest after being invited by the team to sing in English. 'Total lack of respect by @Nezza,' one concluded. 'She's invited by @Dodgers to sing in English. But makes decision to sing in Spanish. This is why people don't take WOKE /DEI/serious. People should boycott her music'. Another commented: 'If the @Dodgers invite Nezza back to Dodger Stadium for another reimagining of our Star Spangled Banner I know I won't be the only one who stays away. Spoke to many friends (Latino included) and it doesn't sit right with any of us. She can serenade Dominican Rep crowds instead.' While one even claimed: 'After Nezza singing [in Spanish] and not being banned forever, I will never attend another Dodger game'. In a tearful follow-up video to her original TikTok post, Hernandez suggested she has been banned from Dodger Stadium after ignoring the request to perform in English. 'Thank you for all the sweet messages,' she concluded at the end of the video before adding, 'I love you guys so much. Safe to say I am never allowed in that stadium again.' Yet according to The LA Times, she was not punished for ignoring the team request and is not banned from Dodger Stadium in the future.
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
‘I may do it, I may not': Why Trump's unpredictability on Iran could be his biggest asset
Donald Trump made a dramatic exit from the G7 summit in Canada and then hunkered down with his National Security Council in the White House situation room to plot his next moves on Iran. Then on Wednesday he was asked by reporters whether he was about to send his bombers into action. 'I may do it. I may not do it,' he said on the South Lawn after chatting with construction workers putting up a 27-metre flagpole. 'I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do. I can tell you this, that Iran's got a lot of trouble.' It is a familiar playbook. In a recent analysis of Mr Trump's leadership style, Julius Kirimi Sindi, an expert in business strategy said the president was not so much governing as running a non-stop negotiation. 'This uncertainty forces people to constantly second-guess their positions, giving Trump the upper hand in any negotiation or political battle,' he wrote. 'The strategy keeps both allies and enemies in a perpetual state of anxiety, which in turn, solidifies his control.' Not for the first time, the president has deployed intentional ambiguity as he keeps friends and foes guessing about his intentions. And once again, he is seeking to gain the upper hand by deploying a trusted 'art of the deal' technique to a tricky geopolitical challenge. His final decision could be the most consequential of his presidency. Join with Israel in attacking Iran with B2 warplanes armed with bunker busting bombs and it could prevent Tehran from ever building a nuclear weapon. But it might also unleash attacks on American interests in the Middle East, and tear apart his Maga coalition at home. urging him not to become entangled in another foreign war. Mr Trump was keeping his options open for now, according to Robert Shapiro, professor of political science, in the hope that something would turn up. 'I think in the best of all worlds for him, he would be perfectly fine with a negotiated settlement, which would give him the prospects of winning the Nobel Peace Prize, which is something he's always talked about,' he said. 'On the other hand, he likes the idea of clean military victory by dropping a bomb and claiming credit for that.' The strategy of unpredictability has been at the heart of this White House. It was how he handled his trade war, for example. A week after 'liberation day,' a day before his steep tariffs were due to go into effect and one hour before the stock market was due to close, journalists peppered the president with questions about his levies and the turmoil they had unleashed. Were they a bargaining chip to secure better deals? Or were they here to stay as part of an attempt to reshape the entire global economy? 'It can both be true,' he said. 'There can be permanent tariffs, and there can also be negotiations.' And he has repeatedly fended off questions about his Ukraine strategy, punting questions about Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, and his desire for peace into the future. 'I can't tell you that, but I'll let you know in about two weeks,' Trump told reporters in the Oval Office,' he said seven weeks ago. The idea may be to keep adversaries on their toes, but it is just as awkward for allies. The G7 summit came and went without a joint statement on Ukraine in part because no one is sure where Mr Trump stands. On Wednesday evening, standing in front of reporters in the Oval Office, Mr Trump once again parried questions about whether he was about to launch strikes on Iran or allow more time to begin negotiations. Is he for real or is it all a monumental bluff? 'I have ideas as to what to do,' he said. 'I like to make a final decision one second before it's due.'
