Florida Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez is anticipated to resign from her position in order to assume the role of interim president at Florida International University, according to sources familiar with the university's plans but not authorized to disclose them publicly.
This impending departure of Nuñez presents Governor Ron DeSantis with another prominent position to fill in the state government hierarchy following President Donald Trump's election victory.
Political Reshuffling in Florida
This transition also offers DeSantis an opportunity to select a lieutenant governor who could potentially be groomed as a successor. As DeSantis is term-limited and ineligible to run in 2026, he has expressed intentions to support a potential heir.
Recently, DeSantis appointed Ashley Moody, the former state attorney general, to the U.S. Senate after Marco Rubio's appointment as Secretary of State. Vacancies in the positions of attorney general and chief financial officer remain to be filled, with current CFO Jimmy Patronis expected to secure the congressional seat previously held by Matt Gaetz. DeSantis has confirmed James Uthmeier, his chief of staff, as Moody's successor.
FIU's Leadership Transition
The Board of Trustees at Florida International University is scheduled to convene on Friday to designate Nuñez as the interim president. While the current president, Kenneth Jessell, has a contract extending beyond the present year, reports indicate that Nuñez's appointment is imminent.
Nuñez, a Miami Republican and former state legislator, was selected as DeSantis' running mate in 2018 with the backing of key figures in the GOP, including Rubio. Noteworthy among her legislative accomplishments was her support for a bill enabling the children of undocumented immigrants to qualify for in-state tuition at Florida's educational institutions.
Despite Nuñez's advocacy for the aforementioned legislation, DeSantis has advocated for its repeal, a stance that Nuñez publicly endorsed last month. While the Legislature has passed a bill to eliminate the in-state tuition provision, DeSantis has voiced reservations about other aspects of the legislation and indicated plans to veto it.
Leadership Shift at FIU
Speculation surrounding FIU's leadership transition escalated rapidly into reality when a special board of trustees meeting was hastily called for Friday. The agenda for the meeting includes a presidential search and the selection of a new leader.
While Jessell's tenure as president extends until November 9, there were no public indications of an impending leadership change at FIU, nor had a search committee been established. Traditionally, presidential searches at universities are protracted processes that unfold over several months.
Legislative Impact on University Appointments
In part, the ease with which politicians like Nuñez and former Senator Ben Sasse secure top positions at Florida universities can be attributed to a 2021 law enacted by the GOP-controlled Legislature. This legislation shields presidential searches from extensive public scrutiny, requiring universities only to disclose finalists rather than the full pool of applicants.
DeSantis' recent reforms in the higher education sector have included restructuring trustee boards and implementing policies that restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. His initiatives have reshaped institutions like New College of Florida by appointing conservative trustees to emphasize classical education and adding new trustees at the University of West Florida.