Marva Johnson Appointed as Florida A&M University President

News Summary

Marva Johnson has been appointed as the new president of Florida A&M University, following an 8-4 vote by the Board of Trustees. A controversial selection, Johnson’s ties to political figures raised concerns among students and faculty, leading to a heated debate during the meeting. Johnson, who promises to prioritize student success and innovation, follows Larry Robinson, who resigned amid a scandal. Her official appointment is pending further confirmation by the Florida Board of Governors.

Tallahassee, Florida – Marva Johnson has been appointed the new president of Florida A&M University (FAMU) following an 8-4 vote by the university’s Board of Trustees on May 16, making her the 13th president in the institution’s history. Johnson, who is the second woman to hold this position, succeeds former President Larry Robinson, who resigned amid a donation scandal last year. Timothy Beard has been fulfilling the role of interim president since August.

Johnson’s selection has been met with a great deal of controversy and community concern. Her appointment arrives after months of both support and opposition, which has stirred significant debate around her candidacy. Board member Belvin Perry indicated that the outcome of the vote seemed predetermined due to Johnson’s ties with former Governors Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis, suggesting that political influences played a role in the decision-making process.

The Board of Trustees convened in the Grand Ballroom on campus, allowing for both virtual and in-person participation. A substantial number of community stakeholders expressed their opposition to Johnson during the meeting, leading to an extended public comment period. Critics, including FAMU Student Body President Zayla Bryant and others, criticized Johnson’s connections to right-leaning political figures, labeling her as “MAGA Marva.” The dissenting voices expressed unease that the board was not adequately considering student and faculty feedback. Bryant particularly emphasized the need for leadership that recognizes the university’s mission beyond mere business interests.

In closing, Johnson emerged as the preferred choice over three other finalists: Rondall Allen from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Gerald Hector from the University of Central Florida, and Donald Palm, who is currently FAMU’s Executive Vice President and COO. While Johnson’s appointment received the green light, it also came at a time when a majority of stakeholders had voiced overwhelming negativity towards her selection. The available feedback indicated substantial distrust within the FAMU community regarding Johnson’s qualifications and political affiliations.

Under her leadership, Johnson has promised to focus on student success, innovation, and honoring FAMU’s legacy. However, her official appointment remains contingent on further confirmation and an interview by the Florida Board of Governors. During discussions surrounding her hiring, it was revealed that Johnson requested a salary range of $750,000, while the board approved a range between $450,000 and $750,000. Additionally, the board voted to delegate the authority for negotiating Johnson’s contract to Nicole Washington, a move that prompted criticism from some trustees for deviating from standard procedures.

Johnson’s bid for the presidency places her within the wider context of changes in Florida’s higher education landscape, as DeSantis’s administration has increasingly exerted influence over public universities, raising concerns about political bias and governance in academic institutions. Despite these concerns, Johnson has expressed a commitment to fostering FAMU’s cultural ethos and making a meaningful impact during her tenure.

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Additional Resources

• Palm Beach Post: Florida Governor Race Analysis
• Tallahassee.com: FAMU Appoints Marva Johnson as President
• GatorCountry: Gators Baseball Victory
• Travel + Leisure: New Flights from South Florida
• Wikipedia: Florida Atlantic University

Author: HERE Tallahassee