FAMU presidential search committee recommends starting salary of $600K–$750K for next president

The FAMU Presidential Search Committee convened today and, after a spirited 90-minute debate, agreed to recommend a compensation package in the range of $600,000 to $750,000 for the university’s next president.

The proposed range includes base salary and performance-based bonuses, as well as housing and car allowance. The new salary range represents a significant increase over the compensation received by former President Larry Robinson in his final year. Robinson earned a base salary of $451,711.26, along with an $81,308.26 bonus, a $42,000 housing allowance, and a $14,400 car allowance.

An initial proposal from the university’s search firm and some committee members had suggested a much higher total package — between $899,644 and $1,090,561 — which sparked debate over the value and optics of such a substantial pay hike.

Comps for Florida public universities

Committee member Kim Godwin, a FAMU alumna and former president of ABC News, raised concerns over the higher range. She emphasized that the state of Florida only covers up to $250,000 of a public university president’s salary, with any excess requiring approval and funding from the FAMU Foundation.

“The $899,000 number is $300,000 more than what we paid President Robinson,” Godwin noted. “Whoever is selected will be a first-time university president. If we have extra money at our disposal, I think it would be better used for student scholarships or other student-centered initiatives.”

The new recommended range, while significantly more than Robinson’s salary, would still position FAMU among the highest-paying public HBCUs. For comparison, current presidential salaries include $501,125 at Delaware State, $605,000 at Morgan State, and $433,848 at North Carolina A&T.

Still, the proposed range falls below the average for top 100 universities nationally and sits on the lower end of the salary spectrum for university presidents within Florida.

The pay range exceeds what majority of the finalist had asked for
Three sources close to the search process confirmed that some candidates had asked for compensation below the new range. Candidates Allen and Hector reportedly requested packages approximately $400,000 to $450,000, much less than the committee’s recommendation. 

Candidate Palm is said to be open to negotiation, while Marva Johnson reportedly requested a minimum base salary of $750,000 — the top of the new proposed range.

Once a final candidate is selected, FAMU Board of Trustees Chair Kristen Harper is expected to negotiate the final terms of the compensation package with the president-elect. The FAMU Foundation Board must also sign off compensation package, and agree to cover any portion exceeding the state-funded $250,000 threshold.

The search for FAMU’s next leader continues, with the final selection expected to come as early as this Friday.