Overview

• Florida A&M University's Board of Trustees voted 8-4 to recommend Marva Johnson, a corporate lobbyist with ties to Governors Ron DeSantis and Rick Scott, as the next president.
• Johnson's selection has drawn widespread criticism from students, faculty, alumni, and civil rights groups over her limited higher-education experience and perceived political connections.
• The selection process has been denounced for its lack of transparency, including the late addition of Johnson as a candidate and the use of closed-door interviews.
• A petition opposing Johnson's appointment has garnered over 10,000 signatures, and the NAACP has threatened legal action to challenge the process.
• Johnson's appointment is pending confirmation by the state Board of Governors, a body largely appointed by Governor DeSantis.