Emery Gainey
Governor Ron DeSantis late yesterday evening announced the appointments of Emery Gainey and TaShaunda “Nicole” Washington to the FAMU Board of Trustees. These appointments will take effect on January 7, 2025.
TaShaunda "Nicole" Washington, the Founder of Washington Education Strategies, LLC., has been a member of the FAMU Board of Trustees since 2015 --- appointed by the Florida Board of Governors. With her new term she will serve as appointee of the Governor.
Washington is no stranger to higher education in Florida having previously served as an analyst in Governor Rick Scott’s Office of Policy and Budget and later as the associate director of Governmental Relations for the Board of Governors (BOG). Washington earned her bachelor of arts degree from Princeton University and a master of arts degree from Teachers College of Columbia University.
Washington is also a member of the Miami Dade College District Board of Trustees and serves on the Board of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges. She previously held the position of Vice Chair of the Constitution Revision Commission’s Education Subcommittee.
Just before Christmas, the Florida Board of Governors appointed Earnie Ellison to the FAMU Board of Trustees. Ellison, had served on Florida Atlantic University's Board of Trustees, where he was the vice chair. He recently resigned from his five-year term that would have expired in January 2026. His role as a FAMU trustee begins Jan. 7. Ellison is a graduate of Alabama A&M University.
Earnie Ellison
These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.