FAMU Presidential Search narrows to four finalists amid committee controversy

The FAMU presidential search committee has finalized an unranked list of four candidates vying to lead the  university, though the selection process has been marred by allegations of procedural irregularities and internal discord.

The finalists, announced Tuesday, include:

• Rondall Allen, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore;

• Gerald Hector, Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance at the University of Central Florida;

• Marva Johnson, Group Vice President for State Government Affairs at Charter Communications and former Florida Board of Education chair;

• Donald Palm, FAMU’s current Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

Strong arm tactics used to add Johnson
Sources close to the search committee reveal tensions flared during deliberations, with members initially agreeing on three finalists from a pool of six interviewed candidates. However, the committee reportedly expanded the list to four after Search Committee Chair Deveron Gibbons pushed to include Johnson, a politically connected figure who previously held appointments under former Gov. Rick Scott and current Gov. Ron DeSantis.

According to multiple sources with intimate knowledge of the deliberations the final hours of voting grew contentious. One search committee member, who had not participated in the interviews (all day) abruptly joined the Zoom meeting in its final minutes to cast a decisive vote approving Johnson’s addition. “It felt very orchestrated,” a source stated anonymously, citing concerns about external influence and fear of intimidation.

Johnson’s inclusion has raised eyebrows given her close ties to Florida’s Republican leadership. Critics argue her political background could signal a shift in priorities for the university.  

Gibbons, who also serves as Vice Chair of the FAMU Board of Trustees, has publicly denied the allegations. 

The finalists will now participate in campus forums and interviews scheduled for May 12 through 16, with a final vote by the full Board of Trustees likely to come shortly there after.