DeSantis ally set to lead Florida’s only public HBCU, sparking backlash

CNN A telecommunications executive with close ties to Republican Gov Ron DeSantis administration is on track to become the th 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 meeting just one month after the FAMU board of trustees voted - to hire her as president of the state s only residents historically Black college Attendee 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 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 masses schools and prohibited lessons about sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom We are very saddened reported Elijah Hooks a FAMU pupil and senior adviser for the Florida Scholar 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 explained last month in a video posted to Instagram Johnson served eight years on the Florida State Board of Guidance first appointed by former Gov Rick Scott in and continuing under DeSantis who was elected in according to her resume She was also appointed by DeSantis to the Florida Scholars Academy Board where she oversaw teaching for vulnerable students including youth in state custody or juvenile justice While serving on the State Board of Guidance Johnson helped implement performance-based funding measures aimed at improving apprentice 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 noted in a declaration I will approach this role with a bold vision focused on candidate success innovation and national prominence while building strong bridges with the FAMU population and honoring the legacy that makes this university so special FAMU s beliefs 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 stated 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 stated 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 million in funding from Howard University the nation s only federally chartered historically Black university In March the Trump administration took procedures to dismantle the Department of Development and began demanding colleges and universities end DEI practices or threat losing federal funding Trump has specifically targeted Harvard requiring the university to take measures 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 Change org petition that gathered more than signatures Still the board selected Johnson and according to CNN affiliate WTXL approved a five-year contract with a starting salary of 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 stated 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 Critics say their feedback was ignored Selected students and alumni explained 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 announced in a May letter to FAMU alumni and supporters the university society 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 of students and alumni expressed deep concern over Ms Johnson s selection and qualifications What we witnessed currently raises profound questions about transparency shared governance and whether the voices of the FAMU district 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 Lack of experience in higher training Leon County Commissioner Bill Proctor explained 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 reported he believes the other presidential candidates were more qualified than Johnson because they had experience working in higher development For example Donald Palm who received four votes from the board presently serves as executive director and chief operating officer at FAMU Johnson does not list any positions in higher coaching on the resume she submitted to the university This is not about a low bar Palm explained This is about no bar at all Students worry about FAMU s future Ashley Bigbee vice president of the FAMU chapter of the NAACP noted 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 mentioned The fate of the university is in someone s hands that we are not content with Hooks the FAMU scholar and senior adviser for the Florida Novice Association commented he was concerned about accomplishable 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 locality And well done by band DeSantis and the SUS for driving this home Uthmeier wrote in the post Great effect for Florida s higher ed and next generation of leaders Hooks noted he is worried about the future of the campus including the FAMU participant traditions unique to Black heritage I feel like there are adults that have sold FAMU away for political gain or financial gain Hooks stated And students don t deserve that