A decision over who will be Florida A&M University’s next president is expected Friday. The four finalists are visiting the campus this week, and on Wednesday, the candidate garnering the most local pushback made her visit.
Marva Johnson is the group vice president of a major internet and cable company. She was appointed by then-Gov. Rick Scott to the State Board of Education, and she has ties to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Those are points of concern for many members of the FAMU community, who worry about Johnson’s politics and say she doesn’t have enough experience in the education field. Will Packer is among them.
“There is only one candidate of the final four who the students, the alumni and the faculty of this beloved institution have overwhelmingly said, ‘It’s not her time,’" Packer said. "There is only one candidate who has the potential to do irreparable harm to the university’s relationship with its community and with its donor base.”
Packer is a movie producer and FAMU alumnus. He spoke Wednesday at the Performing Arts Amphitheater he donated to the school.
“FAMU does not need this. FAMU does not deserve this -- not now! Not again," he said. "Not another public embarrassment. Not another questionable decision by leadership. Not another hit to the FAMU community’s faith and trust in the system by which it is governed.”
Two other candidates have already spent a day on campus: Rondall Allen of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore on Monday, and Gerald Hector of the University of Central Florida on Tuesday.
FAMU Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Donald Palm is the only internal candidate. He will meet with students and faculty today (Thursday). The FAMU National Alumni Association has voted overwhelmingly to endorse him.
