As FAMU approaches its 138th anniversary, the storied institution—a beacon for Florida’s African American community across all 67 counties—faces a defining moment. The search for its next president has sparked intense debate over its future direction, with stakeholders clashing over whether to embrace a candidate with corporate-political ties or safeguard its academic independence amid Florida’s escalating culture wars.
A legacy of defying odds
FAMU’s rise to No. 81 in the U.S. News & World Report Top Public University Rankings—a 10-spot leap despite chronic underfunding—underscores its resilience. “Imagine what we could achieve with equitable resources,” said Keisha Brown, a FAMU alumna and education advocate. The university’s mission, rooted in “the pursuit of truth” and expanding access, now collides with new state mandates: the Florida Board of Governors aims to raise four-year graduation rates for Pell Grant students from 54% to 70%, a target that dwarfs the national average of 53.1%.
Marva Johnson: A polarizing contender
Marva Johnson, a Charter Communications executive and political insider, has emerged as a controversial leading candidate for the FAMU presidency. Johnson, who was in Tallahassee this past weekend "worked the room" at last week’s Florida Legislative Black Caucus Week luncheon, boasts ties to both former Governor Rick Scott and current Governor Ron DeSantis.
She served on the 2020 Republican National Convention Host Committee and holds a résumé heavy on the corporate side but light on academic leadership.
Alumni on Twitter yesterday, labeled Johnson “MAGA Marva” who will likely align with DeSantis' conservative policies targeting diversity initiatives and academic freedom. “FAMU doesn’t need a political hack—it needs a unifier,” said one FAMU alumni on facebook.
Lack of transparency, in 2018, Johnson who chaired Florida's Constitutional Revision Commission dodged reporters questions about whether or not she held meetings outside of the state's sunshine laws.
‘Education as a life-or-death resource’
For many students, FAMU represents a lifeline. “This isn’t just school its a life-or-death resource”, a way out of now way," said senior Jada Carter, a first-generation graduate. Alumni fear state leaders are weaponizing higher education to advance ideological agendas, citing DeSantis’s overhaul of New College and attacks on DEI programs. “We reject their attempts to impose GOP culture wars on the ‘Highest of Seven Hills,’” read a statement from a coalition of alumni chapters, referencing FAMU’s historic mission.
FAMU at a crossroads
The debate mirrors broader tensions facing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as they balance survival in red states with preserving their missions. FAMU’s next president must grapple with shrinking state support, politicized oversight, and the urgent need to boost outcomes for marginalized students. “Will we strike boldly forward, like Presidents Humphries and Robinson, or let politics drag us backward?” asked a student leader on "x" (formerly Twitter).
A single candidate may emerge this week
As the FAMU Presidential Search Committee continues to interview the five semi-finalist today, the stakes are extremely high as it becomes increasingly likely that the committee is coalescing around a single candidate -- Marva Johnson. We have seen this scenario play out before at UF when their search committee unanimously recommended Ben Sasse as the sole finalist for consideration by its Board of Trustees.
Democracy dies in silence
Above all, like the FAMU search, secrecy was key to Sasse's elevation and allowed their search committee to advance a political figure who, like Johnson, had little to no background in higher education. And, we saw how that turned out.
James Baldwin, one of the great writers and activist of the 20th century, wrote that “history is present in all we do” looms large—a reminder that the choice will shape not just a university’s trajectory, but the future of educational equity in Florida.
Time to take immediate action
FAMU’s future is under assault. Governor Ron DeSantis, Chancellor Ray Rodrigues, and Senator Corey Simon must hear loud and clear: Hands Off FAMU! We reject political interference in our presidential search and demand leaders who prioritize academic excellence and FAMU's historic mission—not partisan agendas.
Contact Now:
➡️ Gov. Ron DeSantis
📞 850-717-9337 | 🐦 @GovRonDeSantis
Message: “Stop politicizing FAMU’s leadership. We need a qualified president, not a political appointee like Marva Johnson.”
➡️ Chancellor Ray Rodrigues
📞 850-245-9685 | 🐦 @SUS_Florida
Message: “FAMU deserves a president with academic expertise, not corporate-political ties. Protect our mission.”
➡️ Sen. Corey Simon
📞 850-487-5003 | 🐦 @Csime90
Message: “FAMU is NOT a pawn for culture wars. Support leaders who uplift students, not ideology.”
Why Act?
Marva Johnson’s ties to DeSantis and the GOP threaten FAMU’s 138-year legacy of empowering Black students. As one alum warned: “We don’t need a MAGA Marva—we need a unifier.”
#HandsOffFAMU
Either our Trustees are selling us out for the Governor or trying to install their GOP friends in the presidency to rip FAMU off!!! Something is clearly amiss here.
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