FAMU "president-select" Marva Johnson faces surging resistance over political ties, qualifications

The controversial election of Marva Johnson as “president-select” has ignited a wave of organized opposition from students, alumni, and faculty, who vow to challenge her leadership and the political agenda they accuse her of advancing. 

On  the heels of FAMU Board of Trustees 8-4 vote last week to appoint Johnson, critics are mobilizing to hold her administration accountable, decrying her ties to Gov. Ron DeSantis and lack of higher education experience as antithetical to the HBCU’s mission.
 
“Keepers of the Flame” vow vigilance
A newly formed coalition, Keepers of the Flame, emerged this week as a central hub for dissent, pledging to “monitor every move” of Johnson’s tenure. In a fiery statement posted to its website, the group declared: “While some may believe her appointment is all but certain, our responsibility has just begun. We remain vigilant… FAMU’s future still belongs to us.” 
 
The growing group, composed of alumni, and students, has already begun organizing  efforts to push back against policies they fear will erode academic freedom and FAMU’s identity.
 
“We categorically reject DeSantis’ woke ideology and his handpicked crony Marva Johnson,” wrote one alum in a public letter shared widely on social media. “DeSantis has now come for our flagship HBCU through  his lapdog trustees. But we will never surrender to his agenda.” 

The message referenced the governor’s rejection of an AP African American Studies course in Florida high schools and recent laws restricting race-related content in education—policies critics all implemented as Johnson a DeSantis appointee to the State Board of Education, tacitly approved.

Board chair condemns hiring process
FAMU Board of Trustees Chair Kristen Harper, who voted against Johnson alongside trustees Belvin PerryJr., Craig Reed, and Student Body President Zayla Bryant, publicly criticized the selection process. 
 
“In an age of merit-based hiring decisions, how can one justify settling for a candidate who does not meet all the position criteria? Or turning a blind eye to exceptionally qualified candidates?” Harper said, adding that the FAMU community’s feedback “has been very clear.”
 
Harper’s remarks alluded to widespread frustration over Johnson’s lack of preparedness during campus interviews. Attendees described her as “ill-equipped” to address core challenges facing FAMU, including threats to diversity initiatives, funding disparities for HBCUs, and basic student success strategies. “She couldn’t articulate a vision beyond platitudes,” said a faculty member who attended the sessions.

DeSantis’ “Woke” wars expands to FAMU
Johnson’s appointment fits a broader pattern of politically aligned leadership appointments at Florida’s public universities under DeSantis. Since 2022, the governor’s allies have assumed top roles at institutions including:

·       University of Florida: Former GOP Sen. Ben Sasse (resigned in 2024 after protests).
·       Florida International University: Former Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez.
·       New College of Florida: Conservative reformer Richard Corcoran.
·       Florida Atlantic: Former GOP House Speaker Adam Hasner.
·       State University System: Ex-GOP lawmaker Ray Rodrigues.
 
"We categorically reject DeSantis’ “woke ideology” and his handpicked crony Marva Johnson," said student Auriel Pittman. "We are not going away we will continue to pressure against Gov. DeSantis and his brand of "woke"-ness that has now invaded Florida’s flagship HBCU.”