Dear FIU family,
As Chair of the FIU Board of Trustees, I write to provide an update regarding the future of FIU’s leadership. Earlier today, trustees met to consider an important and unique opportunity for our university that will impact our future.
The Board appointed Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez as Interim President of FIU, effective Feb. 17, 2025. President Kenneth Jessell will remain at the university in his new role as Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. In addition, the Board agreed to retain an executive search firm to assist with a forthcoming presidential search and selection.
The Governor’s office contacted me and suggested that we consider Lt. Gov. Nuñez as the next leader of FIU. Subsequently, I have had conversations with Lt. Gov. Nuñez who confirmed her interest in leading this great university, which happens to be her alma mater. Having given this much thought and consideration, I feel that this is an amazing opportunity for our FIU.
I personally had conversations with both President Jessell and Lt. Gov. Nuñez and, together, we feel that this is an appropriate time to begin a leadership transition.
It is difficult to overstate the importance of President Jessell’s contributions to our university. President Jessell, who is in the final year of his contract, has led this university for the last three years with distinction, dedication, and professionalism. Our recent unprecedented success took place under his leadership.
FIU is now a Preeminent Florida Research University and ranked a Top 50 public university – and No. 1 for economic mobility – by U.S. News and World Report. Other impressive rankings include No. 1 in Florida by the Wall Street Journal and Washington Monthly, and among the top 20 universities for return on investment by Degree Choices.
Under President Jessell’s leadership during the most recent legislative session, FIU also secured a record $141 million in new state funding for key priorities. He also spearheaded a historic new alliance between FIU’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine and Baptist Health that will impact our students and healthcare in South Florida for years to come. In addition, under President Jessell’s tenure, we expanded student housing by opening the beautiful Tamiami Hall and anticipate additional projects to house 1,300 more students. We have a vibrant housing and residential life community with more than 4,100 students living on campus and another 5,000 living across the street.
On a personal note, I have had the honor of working closely with President Jessell and have come to admire him as one of the smartest, most thoughtful, kind and honest leaders I know. As Chair of the Board of Trustees, and as a proud alumnus of FIU, I am deeply grateful for his exceptional service to this university.
Looking ahead, I am excited that Lt. Gov. Nuñez is coming home to FIU. She is a proud double alumna – she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations in 1994 and a master’s degree in public administration. Before making history in 2019 as the first Hispanic woman to serve as lieutenant governor in Florida, she represented Miami-Dade County in the Florida Legislature for eight years.
Lt. Gov. Nuñez came to public office with years of experience as vice president of governmental affairs at Jackson Health Systems and similar leadership positions at Kendall Regional Medical Center and Aventura Hospital and Medical Center. Healthcare happens to be an area of great opportunity and growth for FIU, and Lt. Gov. Nuñez can surely provide valuable insight for our university’s upcoming initiatives.
It is this combination of professional experience and an extensive network in South Florida and throughout the state that makes Lt. Gov. Nuñez an ideal leader to help propel FIU into the future. One of the key characteristics to seek in a president is the ability to advocate for the university. I can think of no better advocate for FIU than a two-time alumna, from South Florida, who also served in the legislature and as Lieutenant Governor. In the time that I have known Lt. Gov. Nuñez, I have always been impressed with her engagement and her tireless efforts as a champion of FIU.
As we embark on the search for the next permanent president of FIU, we will look for a leader who will embrace and implement our ambitious vision for this university, as represented in our 2030 strategic plan. Our next leader will be charged with accelerating our efforts around external funding, which include increasing our endowment to at least $500 million, tripling our fundraising, and securing additional operational support.
In addition, our next president will lead efforts to expand and enhance our sponsored trailblazing research to approximately $600 million in expenditures per year, focused on the areas of environmental resilience, health and healthcare, tech, and innovation. We also need to become more relevant and competitive in the ever-changing landscape of collegiate athletics.
In the coming weeks, I will communicate updates to the university community regarding the presidential search.
As Chair, I want to acknowledge our stellar students and our dedicated faculty and staff for your hard work and commitment to this university. Together, we will continue our upward trajectory.
Please join me as we welcome Lt. Gov. Nuñez to her new role as Interim President. I am optimistic about the future of our Panther family under her leadership.
Sincerely,
Roger Tovar
Chair, FIU Board of Trustees