Latest news with #JeanetteNuñez
CBS News
03-06-2025
- Business
- CBS News
FIU trustees unanimously approve Jeanette Nuñez as university president
The Florida International University Board of Trustees on Monday unanimously approved appointing former Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez as the university's president. Nuñez has served as interim president since February and emerged last month as the sole finalist to become president. The appointment remains subject to approval by the state university system's Board of Governors. Nuñez is slated to receive a five-year contract with a base salary of $925,000 and annual performance bonuses of up to $400,000. Nuñez, who received bachelor's and master's degrees at FIU, said the Miami-based school has a tremendous opportunity for growth. "We need to make sure that our reputation matches our reality," Nuñez said. "Our reality is one of academic excellence, one of research and one of aligning with many strategic partners in this community, this state and this country." Roger Tovar, chairman of the Board of Trustees, cited a "combination of professional experience and an extensive network in South Florida and Tallahassee that makes Interim President Nuñez an ideal leader to help transition FIU into the future." Nuñez, a Miami Republican who served in the Florida House before becoming Gov. Ron DeSantis' running mate in 2018, left the lieutenant governor's job to become interim president. She replaced Kenneth Jessell, who had served as FIU's president since 2022. Part of broader changes in Florida's higher education Her move to FIU has been part of a series of changes in the presidencies of state universities and colleges — and efforts by DeSantis to reshape the higher-education system. The university system's Board of Governors on Tuesday is expected to consider the appointment of former University of Michigan President Santa Ono to become president of the University of Florida, while the University of West Florida Board of Trustees last week chose state Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr., a DeSantis ally, to serve as the Pensacola school's interim president. Meanwhile, the Florida A&M University Board of Trustees last month chose corporate executive Marva Johnson to become the school's president, while University of South Florida President Rhea Law has announced plans to resign. Also, former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner was selected in February to serve as president of Florida Atlantic University. Carlos Duart, an FIU trustee who led the school's search committee, wrote in a message to the university community last month that the committee selected three finalists, but two said they would only continue to a public phase of the process if they were chosen as the lone candidate. The identities of presidential candidates at state universities and colleges are largely shielded from release. "Given her proven record of leadership and unique qualifications, the committee unanimously agreed to move Interim President Nuñez forward as its sole finalist for consideration by the FIU Board of Trustees," Duart wrote in last month's message. But it also has been widely speculated that DeSantis played a role in Nuñez getting the FIU job, something trustee Dean Colson appeared to acknowledge Monday as he supported her appointment. "I believe she will be a very successful president, and to be honest, if we don't pick her as our president, I suspect that tomorrow we are going to find out who the governor's office's second pick is," Colson said. "I really like our first pick, so why would I take that chance?"
CBS News
02-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
FIU students, faculty protest school's partnership with ICE
Florida International University students, faculty, alumni and members of the community gathered on campus Monday morning to protest the partnership between the school and U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement. The agreement, under the 287 (g) program, allows FIU police officers to be trained and authorized to act as ICE agents on campus. It's part of a broader initiative across the state. FIU Police Chief Alexander Casas has said it will help keep students safe. However, those protesting said they fear this will lead to racial profiling and increase fear among students. Partnership under fire from students Last month, at a forum to discuss the proposed partnership, students and alumni spoke out against it. "It's not fair that students have to live in an environment of hostility, fear of racial profiling, that they could be detained at any moment, their visas can be revoked. That's not what FIU is about," said Alex Rubio, an FIU graduate. Casas, who participated in the panel alongside immigration experts and student leaders, emphasized the intent to maintain trust within the campus community. he also he sought to reassure students "Don't be concerned, if you're here legally take care of your stuff, if you're here lawfully you have nothing to be concerned about," he said. Demonstrators hoped to get the Board of Trustees attention The demonstration came ahead of the FIU Board of Trustees meeting in which they will discuss and vote on naming interim President Jeanette Nuñez as the school's 7th president. Nuñez, who received her bachelor's degree and master's degree at FIU, was named interim resident in February. She stepped down as Florida's lieutenant governor to accept the position. If approved by the board, she'll replace Kenneth Jessell who had served as FIU's president since 2022.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Lt. Gov. Nuñez sole finalist for FIU Presidency
Former Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez, who was appointed interim president of Florida International University in February, is the sole finalist to become president of the Miami-based school, the chairman of a search committee announced Thursday. Carlos Duart, an FIU trustee who led the search committee, wrote in a message to the university community that the committee selected three finalists, but two said they would only continue to a public phase of the process if they were chosen as the lone candidate. 'As a result, these two finalists withdrew their candidacy,' Duart wrote. 'Given her proven record of leadership and unique qualifications, the committee unanimously agreed to move Interim President Nuñez forward as its sole finalist for consideration by the FIU Board of Trustees.' The trustees and the state university system's Board of Governors would have to approve hiring Nuñez as president. Duart's message said Nuñez will take part in campus forums on May 21 and the Board of Trustees will meet June 2 to formally interview her. The announcement came after the University of Florida on Sunday said University of Michigan President Santa Ono is the sole finalist to become UF president. UF conducted a search after former President Ben Sasse resigned last year. Nuñez, a Miami Republican who received bachelor's and master's degrees at FIU, left the lieutenant governor's job to become interim president. She replaced Kenneth Jessell, who had served as FIU's president since 2022. While the FIU Board of Trustees did not specifically discuss Nuñez serving as president on a more-permanent basis at the time she took the interim post, trustee Dean Colson during a Feb. 7 meeting indicated the 'probable results of the search are already known.' Duart's message Thursday said the search committee selected as finalists Nuñez and a 'sitting president and sitting provost at other institutions.' He did not identify the other two candidates. State law provides public-records and public-meetings exemptions for information about candidates to become university presidents, though the identities of final candidates are released as they are vetted publicly. The Florida House this spring tried to get rid of the exemptions, but the Senate did not go along. Duart wrote that FIU is 'central to Interim President Nuñez's life and that of her family.' 'Interim President Nuñez's distinguished career and commitment to further cement FIU's position as a leader in higher education in Florida and across the country make her an excellent leader for FIU at this pivotal point in our university's journey,' he wrote. Nuñez, who also is a former state House member, is making an annual base salary of $850,000 as interim president and is eligible for a bonus up to 15 percent, according to information released in February. The announcements this week about Nuñez and Ono being the sole finalists for the FIU and UF jobs have come amid heavy turnover in leadership of state universities and colleges. For example, former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner was chosen in February to become president of Florida Atlantic University. Also, Florida A&M University last month announced the names of four finalists to become its president, and University of South Florida President Rhea Law has announced she is stepping down. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Toronto Star
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Florida's former lieutenant governor named sole finalist for university presidency
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida's former lieutenant governor has been named the sole finalist to become the next president of Florida International University. The presidential search committee's unanimous selection of former Republican state lawmaker Jeanette Nuñez is no surprise — she has been the school's interim president since February and has the backing of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Washington Post
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Florida's former lieutenant governor named sole finalist for university presidency
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida's former lieutenant governor has been named the sole finalist to become the next president of Florida International University. The presidential search committee's unanimous selection of former Republican state lawmaker Jeanette Nuñez is no surprise — she has been the school's interim president since February and has the backing of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.
