Marva Johnson has been confirmed as Florida A&M University’s next President. The State University System Board of Governors gave their okay Wednesday to the appointment.
The board voted unanimously to approve Johnson despite loud opposition from segments of the FAMU community.
Her selection comes after former President Larry Robinson stepped down last year. Johnson has work experience as a business executive and lobbyist for one of the country’s largest cable companies. But detractors point to her lack of experience in higher education administration. They’ve also raised concerns about her ties to Republican politicians including Governor Ron DeSantis.
Chekesha Kidd, a board member of the FAMU foundation, was one of several people who spoke at the meeting in Boca Raton. She also criticized the university's board of trustees, who voted 8-4 to select Johnson.
“Under their watch, we've endured NCAA violations, uninhabitable dorms, donor breaches, systemic financial and operational issues you just heard in the audit results and now a 40% over budget compensation package to install a president elect with no higher ed or corporate leadership experience to speak of someone who has never run a division, led a large team or managed a PNL. It’s not excellence, it’s negligence,” she said.
Johnson said she hears the critics but is committed to helping FAMU continue to grow.
“I hear your concerns, and my door will always be open, and I'm looking forward to full engagement on campus and in our communities,” she said.
The state board of Governors trusts Johnson’s promise. Board member Paul Renner said he remembers former FSU President John Trasher also facing significant push back from community members.
“10 years ago, with the now late president, John Thrasher, who had widespread opposition. But once he got in, many of those, most, if not all those people wound up being big advocates for John Thrasher and the amazing things he did for FSU. And so I would just encourage those who have concerns, who voice concerns, to exercise grace and know that Marvin Johnson's success is FAMU success. We all want to see that success, and I know without a doubt she'll deliver it,” he said.
Johnson’s confirmation marks another University President with close ties to Governor Ron DeSantis. A group of alumni and students are suing the university in the hopes they get more transparency about the process that they claimed was forced through for political reasons. Her term begins on August 1st.