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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\u201cThe governor\u2019s office has contacted me and suggested that we consider Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nu\u00f1ez as the next leader for FIU,\u201d Board of Trustees Chair Roger Tovar said during a special meeting held via Zoom. \u201cSubsequent to that, I have had several conversations with the Lt. Gov. Nu\u00f1ez, who confirmed her interest in leading this great university, which happens to be her alma mater.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During a news conference on immigration Friday morning, DeSantis said the leap actually was her idea. He applauded Nu\u00f1ez for her support for his policies as lieutenant governor, including efforts to \u201cbring some sanity\u201d to higher education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is something she was interested in doing, she had my endorsement and my support, and I think that she\u2019s somebody that is very well regarded in the community anyways,\u201d DeSantis said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The interim hiring would be effective Feb. 17. The university must launch a formal search to name a president, although trustee Dean Colson said the \u201cprobable results of the search are already known.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sitting FIU President Kenneth Jessell, who served for three years and whose contract was set to expire in November, will become senior vice president and chief administrative officer. Tovar called the administrative changes \u201cadditive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have complete confidence in the lieutenant governor,\u201d Jessell said. \u201cShe\u2019s a double Panther, and I look forward to supporting her. I look forward to continuing supporting our students, our faculty, our staff, our alumni, our great supporters and donors, and our community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trustees praised Jessell\u2019s leadership while emphasizing a desire to boost fundraising efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGiven the university FIU is today, a top 50 public preeminent research university, we need to increase our endowment to at least $500 million and triple our annual fundraising. World class universities have healthy endowments. This is imperative for the university\u2019s future,\u201d Tovar said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The move, notably, comes shortly before the 2025 legislative session starts, when lawmakers will decide how much state support the Miami institution will receive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tovar said Nu\u00f1ez\u2019s experience as a health care lobbyist and lieutenant governor make her \u201can ideal leader to help transition FIU into the future,\u201d noting her connections in the community and in Tallahassee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She graduated from FIU in 1994 with a bachelor degree in political science and international relations and in 1998 earned a master degree in public administration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n