Opinion | An administration’s missed opportunity

The job of a university president is, at its core, about vision and people. It is about setting a course for the future and then assembling a team of exceptional talent to navigate it. By this measure, FAMU President Marva Johnson has stumbled, yet again, at a critical moment, and the university is weaker for it.

Her administration’s failure to bring Vincent Evans, a trusted, well regarded, distinguished alumnus and a rising star, into the fold as chief of staff is more than a mere personnel hiccup. It is a profound missed opportunity and a telling indicator of an administration that seems unable to connect with the very lifeblood of this great institution: its next generation.

Mr. Evans is not just another qualified candidate. He is the embodiment of the modern FAMU graduate—a product of its rigorous academic environment and its tradition of fostering leadership. After earning his degree in political science and pre-law in 2011, he didn’t just pass through the university; he engaged with it deeply through student government, the mock trial team, College Democrats, and numerous campus political campaigns. He represents the kind of dynamic, politically savvy and deeply loyal alumnus any forward-looking university leader should be eager to recruit.

His hiring would have sent a powerful message. It would have signaled that President Johnson values not only proven competence but also a vital, direct connection to a key constituency: the young alumni who are often the most passionate critics of the status quo and the most energetic advocates for progress. Mr. Evans possesses an inherent trust and credibility with this group that cannot be manufactured or appointed. It is earned.

Instead, his absence from the senior staff raises troubling questions. Does the administration truly understand the university it has been trusted to lead? Can it attract top-tier talent that also brings with it the legitimacy of deep roots and unwavering Rattler loyalty? The answers, for now, appear to be lacking.

A chief of staff serves as a gatekeeper, strategist and trusted conduit. Mr. Evans’ pedigree suggests he would have excelled in these roles, offering not just operational competence but also a crucial cultural fluency. He understands FAMU’s past and could have been an invaluable architect of its future.

This is a misstep that can and should be corrected. President Johnson would be wise to go back to the table and make Mr. Evans a compelling offer he simply cannot refuse. Doing so would not be a sign of weakness, but a demonstration of strength. It would show a capacity to listen, to adapt and to recognize extraordinary talent—especially when it’s wearing orange and green.

A great leader knows that the best hires aren’t just employees; they are partners who bring the strengths and gravitas they are lacking. For an administration in need of building bridges, Vincent Evans wasn’t just a good candidate. He was the ideal one, unlike the pending, very troubling, decision to name an FSU grad as FAMU athletic director.  Evans' absence is a stain not of his making, but one that this administration must now work to erase.