Latest news with #MarvaJohnson
Miami Herald
26-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
FAMU's plan to pay Marva Johnson depends on state budget
The question of how Florida A&M University (FAMU) will pay incoming President Marva Johnson now depends on the state budget. FAMU Foundation Pauses Budget Talks As reported by WCTV, the FAMU Foundation has paused its budget review. The Foundation was working to find money for Johnson's contract. A Monday meeting to discuss the issue was canceled, according to the meeting notice. On Tuesday, WCTV shared a statement from FAMU Foundation Executive Director Anthony Neal. He said the meeting was canceled because of a "legislative provision regarding the President-Elect's salary." New Budget Provision Offers Flexibility The provision is part of Senate Bill 2502, which lawmakers passed last week. It gives FAMU's Board of Trustees the power to use available reserves and old balances to pay the president's salary. The money cannot come from the state's General Revenue Fund or from tuition and fees. WCTV reported that the provision was added to the bill on June 14. This was eight days after the FAMU Board of Trustees approved Johnson's contract. Contract Details and Funding Gap Johnson's contract includes a base salary of $650,000 per year. She is also eligible for extra bonuses and incentives that could total hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. The state can pay up to $200,000 toward her annual salary. The FAMU Foundation must cover the rest. The Foundation had previously approved only $388,562 for the president's pay, leaving a shortfall. A Possible Solution for FAMU The new budget provision could solve this issue. If Governor Ron DeSantis signs the bill without vetoing the provision, Florida A&M can use reserves to pay Johnson's full contract. This could prevent the Foundation from cutting other positions or projects. The governor has until June 30 to approve or veto the budget. According to Neal, the Foundation will meet again later to review its budget if needed. A new meeting date has not been announced yet. The post FAMU's plan to pay Marva Johnson depends on state budget appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
The Independent
20-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
DeSantis ally ‘MAGA Marva' named president at Florida HBCU despite campus concerns
Marva Johnson, an ally of Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, has been confirmed to serve as president of Florida A&M University, despite vigorous opposition from students and prominent alumni. It's the latest in a trend that now sees former Republican lobbyists or lawmakers leading five of the state's 12 public universities. "To the Rattler community, students, faculty, alumni, stakeholders: I am listening, and I hear your dreams, and I hear your concerns,' Johnson, a cable industry executive and lawyer, who has served appointed positions under GOP governors DeSantis and Rick Scott, said during a contentious Wednesday meeting of the state university system's Board of Governors. 'And my door will always be open." At the meeting, where officials confirmed Johnson to lead the state's sole public historically Black university (HBCU), many of those criticisms continued. "Marva Johnson is not ready to lead the nation's number one public HBCU," Florida A&M alumna and former ABC News president Kim Godwin, who served on the university's search committee, told the gathered attendees, which included alums who stood and turned their back as Johnson spoke. "She does not have the best resume. She did not have a good on-campus interview,' Godwin continued. 'She appeared unprepared and short-sighted and did not present well to our stakeholders. She had the opportunity, but failed to win the support of any stakeholder group. These are facts." DeSantis was not involved directly in Johnson's selection in May, but his attorney general praised the executive's candidacy, and his deputy chief reportedly lobbied the search committee to nominate Johnson, the Tallahassee Democrat reports. Some feared that Johnson, who served on the Florida State Board of Education for four years, did not have experience in academia, while others worried she would continue Governor DeSantis's attempts to remake public education in the state in a more conservative image. Under DeSantis, the state has enacted policies that serve as de facto book bans on materials that often include stories about Black and LGBT+ people, and has banned funding for diversity programs, while blocking an advanced placement African American history class. Critics of Johnson argued she would be a partisan in this effort, and labelled her with the nickname 'MAGA Marva,' after Donald Trump's Make America Great Again slogan. "Right this very minute, a group of activist Republicans are trying to put in the highest position of power someone who is solidly and objectively unqualified for it," alum and film producer Will Packer said in a May Instagram video after university officials chose Johnson as their pick to submit to state officials. "She is a career lobbyist with no experience in higher education administration, literally the same amount of higher education admin experience as you or I. Zero, none." During a May forum with alumni and students, Johnson insisted she wasn't a 'Trojan horse,' and pointed to her experience working in state politics as a sign of her bipartisan bona fides. 'No, I'm not a Trojan horse. I was not sent here to dismantle FAMU," she said. "I would love the opportunity to work with you and to grow FAMU.' Johnson has said she hopes to elevate Florida A&M to an R1-class research university. Florida A&M alumni have filed a lawsuit over the presidential selection process.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Marva Johnson officially named 13th president of Florida A&M
The post Marva Johnson officially named 13th president of Florida A&M appeared first on ClutchPoints. After much protest, Marva Johnson has officially been named the 13th president of Florida A&M. She was confirmed for the position following a unanimous vote by the Florida Board of Governors on Wednesday afternoon at Florida Atlantic University's campus. 'Under my leadership, I don't expect FAMU to just survive,' Johnson said during the meeting. 'I expected it to thrive.' Johnson, currently Vice President of State Government Affairs for Charter Communications, served eight years on the Florida State Board of Education. She was appointed for a first four-year term by Governor Rick Scott and later reappointed for a second term by Governor Ron DeSantis. Florida A&M supporters protested her candidacy for the presidency due to her ties to DeSantis and her lack of experience in running a university. 'If I was to seat a CEO or president of a business, I would not hire the president of a university which had no experience in business,' Florida A&M Boosters president Zachary Ansley in a comment during the town hall in May. 'By that token, I say, why are we even considering a person that has a great resume in business, but no educational background?' However, despite the outcry from the university community, Johnson was voted to be the next president by the Florida A&M Board of Trustees in an 8-4 decision on May 16th. Over a month later, the Florida Board of Governors made her hire official. Chairman of the Florida Board of Governors Brian Lamb commented about her hire in a statement, saying, 'Marva Johnson's confirmation as the next president of FAMU marks a new chapter in the university's legacy. Her visionary leadership, deep commitment to improving outcomes for students, and passion for innovation will be the catalyst for FAMU to build on the rich tradition and have a greater impact on the local community, the state, and the nation.' Johnson, whose tenure starts on August 1st, said, 'It is a profound honor to be selected as the 13th president of Florida A&M University—a historic institution with a rich legacy shaped by giants,' said Johnson. 'As president, I recognize the legacy I carry and remain committed to protecting and extending that legacy and FAMU's mission, while fighting to ensure that we are positioned for success in the evolving higher education landscape. I am ready to bring a bold, business-minded, results-driven approach to advancing student success, financial sustainability, and long-term institutional growth.' Related: 'Love Island' winner nabs role in HBCU series on Keke Palmer network Related: Three Mississippi-based HBCUs look to expand AI Education
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
DeSantis ally set to lead Florida's only public HBCU, sparking backlash
A telecommunications executive with close ties to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration is on track to become the 13th president of Florida A&M University, despite opposition from thousands of students and alumni. The Florida Board of Governors will vote on Marva Johnson's appointment at its June 18 meeting, just one month after the FAMU board of trustees voted 8-4 to hire her as president of the state's only public historically Black college. Student leaders say they plan to speak out at the meeting. Students, alumni groups, and faculty members say they are largely concerned about Johnson's alignment with DeSantis-backed policies. The governor banned funding for diversity, equity and inclusion programs at Florida colleges and blocked advanced placement African American studies curriculum in Florida high schools. He also signed the STOP Woke Act in 2022, which banned teachings or mandatory workplace programs that suggest a person is privileged or oppressed based on their race, color, sex, or national origin. DeSantis has also faced criticism for signing laws that led to book bans in public schools and prohibited lessons about sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom. 'We are very saddened,' said Elijah Hooks, a FAMU student and senior adviser for the Florida Student Association. 'And it's shady that she has a lot of connections to someone like that.' 'There is no place for that hateful, divisive rhetoric, not at the college of love and charity,' film producer Will Packer, a FAMU alumnus, said last month in a video posted to Instagram. Johnson served eight years on the Florida State Board of Education, first appointed by former Gov. Rick Scott in 2014 and continuing under DeSantis, who was elected in 2018, according to her resume. She was also appointed by DeSantis to the Florida Scholars Academy Board, where she oversaw education for vulnerable students, including youth in state custody or juvenile justice. While serving on the State Board of Education, Johnson helped implement performance-based funding measures aimed at improving student success and graduation rates at state colleges, according to a FAMU news release. 'To be considered for the opportunity to lead this storied institution is the honor of a lifetime,' Johnson said in a statement. 'I will approach this role with a bold vision — focused on student success, innovation, and national prominence — while building strong bridges with the FAMU community and honoring the legacy that makes this university so special. FAMU's culture and impact are unmatched, and I am committed to upholding and amplifying that legacy as we move forward together.' Johnson currently serves as a group vice president at Charter Communications. Packer said in the Instagram video he believes Johnson's appointment is part of a broader effort by Republicans to take over HBCUs. 'HBCUs are under attack,' Packer said. 'What we cannot allow is a hostile takeover by someone who has aligned with the party that has loudly and proudly espoused ideologies that attack diversity and diverse institutions, attack equitable economics and attack inclusive principles — the exact pillars that institutions like FAMU were built up.' President Donald Trump's budget proposal seeks to cut $64 million in funding from Howard University, the nation's only federally chartered historically Black university. In March, the Trump administration took steps to dismantle the Department of Education and began demanding colleges and universities end DEI practices or risk losing federal funding. Trump has specifically targeted Harvard, requiring the university to take steps to prevent antisemitism, stop considering race in admissions and hiring, and shut down DEI programs. CNN has reached out to Johnson for comment. Students and alumni protested Johnson's candidacy by speaking out at trustee meetings, posting on social media, and circulating a petition that gathered more than 18,000 signatures. Still, the board selected Johnson and, according to CNN affiliate WTXL, approved a five-year contract with a starting salary of $650,000. CNN reached out to the eight board members who voted for Johnson; seven did not respond. Trustee John Crossman, who supported Johnson, declined to comment. FAMU said in a news release that during her interview, Johnson 'expressed her commitment to FAMU's legacy as a top-tier HBCU and its rise in research, academic achievement, and social impact.' Some students and alumni said they felt their concerns about Johnson were ignored by the board of trustees during the presidential search and interview process. Curtis Johnson, president of the Florida A&M University National Alumni Association, said in a May 16 letter to FAMU alumni and supporters the university community had provided feedback to the board through town halls, surveys, emails, letters, and phone calls. Johnson noted, according to feedback forms submitted to the board, 80% of students and alumni expressed 'deep concern over Ms. Johnson's selection and qualifications.' 'What we witnessed today raises profound questions about transparency, shared governance, and whether the voices of the FAMU community are truly being heard,' Johnson wrote in the letter. 'Faculty were not formally polled. Students filled the boardroom. Alumni from across the nation engaged. Yet, the outcome ignored this collective voice.' Leon County Commissioner Bill Proctor said he supports students and alumni who spoke out against Johnson's candidacy and selection as president. Proctor, who is also a FAMU political science instructor, said he believes the other presidential candidates were more qualified than Johnson because they had experience working in higher education. For example, Donald Palm, who received four votes from the board, currently serves as executive director and chief operating officer at FAMU. Johnson does not list any positions in higher education on the resume she submitted to the university. 'This is not about a low bar,' Palm said. 'This is about no bar at all.' Ashley Bigbee, vice president of the FAMU chapter of the NAACP, said it was 'disheartening' students and alumni expressed opposition to Johnson, yet the board still approved her hiring. 'We don't know Marva's true intentions,' Bigbee said. 'The fate of the university is in someone's hands that we are not comfortable with.' Hooks, the FAMU student and senior adviser for the Florida Student Association, said he was concerned about possible political influence in the board's selection of Johnson, citing an X post by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who called Johnson a 'terrific selection for the university community.' 'And well done by team DeSantis and the SUS for driving this home!' Uthmeier wrote in the post. 'Great result for Florida's higher ed and next generation of leaders.' Hooks said he is worried about the future of the campus, including the FAMU student traditions unique to Black culture. 'I feel like there are adults that have sold FAMU away for political gain or financial gain,' Hooks said. 'And students don't deserve that.'
CNN
18-06-2025
- Politics
- CNN
DeSantis ally set to lead Florida's only public HBCU, sparking backlash from students and alumni over political ties and lack of higher ed experience
A telecommunications executive with close ties to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration is on track to become the 13th president of Florida A&M University, despite opposition from thousands of students and alumni. The Florida Board of Governors will vote on Marva Johnson's appointment at its June 18 meeting, just one month after the FAMU board of trustees voted 8-4 to hire her as president of the state's only public historically Black college. Student leaders say they plan to speak out at the meeting. Students, alumni groups, and faculty members say they are largely concerned about Johnson's alignment with DeSantis-backed policies. The governor banned funding for diversity, equity and inclusion programs at Florida colleges and blocked advanced placement African American studies curriculum in Florida high schools. He also signed the STOP Woke Act in 2022, which banned teachings or mandatory workplace programs that suggest a person is privileged or oppressed based on their race, color, sex, or national origin. DeSantis has also faced criticism for signing laws that led to book bans in public schools and prohibited lessons about sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom. 'We are very saddened,' said Elijah Hooks, a FAMU student and senior adviser for the Florida Student Association. 'And it's shady that she has a lot of connections to someone like that.' 'There is no place for that hateful, divisive rhetoric, not at the college of love and charity,' film producer Will Packer, a FAMU alumnus, said last month in a video posted to Instagram. Johnson served eight years on the Florida State Board of Education, first appointed by former Gov. Rick Scott in 2014 and continuing under DeSantis, who was elected in 2018, according to her resume. She was also appointed by DeSantis to the Florida Scholars Academy Board, where she oversaw education for vulnerable students, including youth in state custody or juvenile justice. While serving on the State Board of Education, Johnson helped implement performance-based funding measures aimed at improving student success and graduation rates at state colleges, according to a FAMU news release. 'To be considered for the opportunity to lead this storied institution is the honor of a lifetime,' Johnson said in a statement. 'I will approach this role with a bold vision — focused on student success, innovation, and national prominence — while building strong bridges with the FAMU community and honoring the legacy that makes this university so special. FAMU's culture and impact are unmatched, and I am committed to upholding and amplifying that legacy as we move forward together.' Johnson currently serves as a group vice president at Charter Communications. Packer said in the Instagram video he believes Johnson's appointment is part of a broader effort by Republicans to take over HBCUs. 'HBCUs are under attack,' Packer said. 'What we cannot allow is a hostile takeover by someone who has aligned with the party that has loudly and proudly espoused ideologies that attack diversity and diverse institutions, attack equitable economics and attack inclusive principles — the exact pillars that institutions like FAMU were built up.' President Donald Trump's budget proposal seeks to cut $64 million in funding from Howard University, the nation's only federally chartered historically Black university. In March, the Trump administration took steps to dismantle the Department of Education and began demanding colleges and universities end DEI practices or risk losing federal funding. Trump has specifically targeted Harvard, requiring the university to take steps to prevent antisemitism, stop considering race in admissions and hiring, and shut down DEI programs. CNN has reached out to Johnson for comment. Students and alumni protested Johnson's candidacy by speaking out at trustee meetings, posting on social media, and circulating a petition that gathered more than 18,000 signatures. Still, the board selected Johnson and, according to CNN affiliate WTXL, approved a five-year contract with a starting salary of $650,000. CNN reached out to the eight board members who voted for Johnson; seven did not respond. Trustee John Crossman, who supported Johnson, declined to comment. FAMU said in a news release that during her interview, Johnson 'expressed her commitment to FAMU's legacy as a top-tier HBCU and its rise in research, academic achievement, and social impact.' Some students and alumni said they felt their concerns about Johnson were ignored by the board of trustees during the presidential search and interview process. Curtis Johnson, president of the Florida A&M University National Alumni Association, said in a May 16 letter to FAMU alumni and supporters the university community had provided feedback to the board through town halls, surveys, emails, letters, and phone calls. Johnson noted, according to feedback forms submitted to the board, 80% of students and alumni expressed 'deep concern over Ms. Johnson's selection and qualifications.' 'What we witnessed today raises profound questions about transparency, shared governance, and whether the voices of the FAMU community are truly being heard,' Johnson wrote in the letter. 'Faculty were not formally polled. Students filled the boardroom. Alumni from across the nation engaged. Yet, the outcome ignored this collective voice.' Leon County Commissioner Bill Proctor said he supports students and alumni who spoke out against Johnson's candidacy and selection as president. Proctor, who is also a FAMU political science instructor, said he believes the other presidential candidates were more qualified than Johnson because they had experience working in higher education. For example, Donald Palm, who received four votes from the board, currently serves as executive director and chief operating officer at FAMU. Johnson does not list any positions in higher education on the resume she submitted to the university. 'This is not about a low bar,' Palm said. 'This is about no bar at all.' Ashley Bigbee, vice president of the FAMU chapter of the NAACP, said it was 'disheartening' students and alumni expressed opposition to Johnson, yet the board still approved her hiring. 'We don't know Marva's true intentions,' Bigbee said. 'The fate of the university is in someone's hands that we are not comfortable with.' Hooks, the FAMU student and senior adviser for the Florida Student Association, said he was concerned about possible political influence in the board's selection of Johnson, citing an X post by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who called Johnson a 'terrific selection for the university community.' 'And well done by team DeSantis and the SUS for driving this home!' Uthmeier wrote in the post. 'Great result for Florida's higher ed and next generation of leaders.' Hooks said he is worried about the future of the campus, including the FAMU student traditions unique to Black culture. 'I feel like there are adults that have sold FAMU away for political gain or financial gain,' Hooks said. 'And students don't deserve that.'
