Jeanette M. Nuñez confirmed as FIU’s seventh president.

Florida Board of Governors confirms Nuñez as president, announces FIU as top performer among state universities for third year in a row

June 18, 2025 at 4:02pm

Today, the Florida Board of Governors confirmed the appointment of Jeanette M. Nuñez as FIU’s seventh president and announced that FIU once again is the number one university in the state in performance.

“We proudly welcome Jeanette Nuñez as the seventh president of Florida International University. President Nuñez brings a wealth of experience, a deep connection to South Florida, and a bold vision for the future,” said Brian Lamb, Chair of the Florida Board of Governors. “Through her leadership, FIU will be elevated to new heights and strengthen its impact across the globe.”

On June 2, the FIU Board of Trustees voted unanimously to name Nuñez as FIU’s president. Nuñez, who was named interim president in February, is the first FIU alumna to hold the position. She previously served as a state representative and lieutenant governor of the State of Florida.

“Congratulations to Jeanette Nuñez on her confirmation as the 7th president of Florida International University,” said Ray Rodrigues, Chancellor of the State University System of Florida. “Through her leadership, FIU will advance its mission of academic excellence, innovation, and opportunity for all students.”

Nuñez’s confirmation came on the same day FIU was named the top university in the state in performance metrics, for the third consecutive year. In Florida, state universities are evaluated on key indicators including four-year graduation rate, retention rate, cost of attendance to students, and post-graduation employment. This year, FIU earned a score of 96 out of 100.

“It is an honor and a privilege to serve as the seventh president of FIU,” said Nuñez. "Four out of the last five years, FIU has earned its position as the top performing university in the state, proof that our approach is working. FIU is number one because of the commitment of our students, faculty, and staff to achieve excellence. Over the next five years, we will focus on sustaining our success through our strategic plan, Experience Impact 2030. Our vision is clear, our future is bold, and our time is now.”

Over the past year, FIU has increased the four-year graduation rate of freshmen (first-time in college students) by 5.1 percentage points, reduced the average cost of attendance by $1,370, and increased the share of graduate degrees awarded in strategic emphasis areas.

FIU’s long-term investment in student achievement and workforce readiness is yielding success. Over the past five years, the university has elevated the four-year graduation rate of first-time in college students by an impressive 20.7 percentage points, increased the percentage of bachelor’s degrees awarded in strategic emphasis areas by 10.9 percentage points, and improved the six-year graduation rate for FTIC Pell Grant recipients by 9.2 percentage points. The median wage of graduates has increased by $9,400, a 22.9% jump, and the share of bachelor’s graduates employed or enrolled one year after graduation has grown by 8.4 points.

“Our goal has been to allocate resources and implement strategies to ensure our students and our state receive the highest possible return on investment from FIU,” said Provost, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Elizabeth M. Béjar. “Our entire team is focused on delivering the highest quality education and overall experience to our students.”