Ebiere Orusa | PantherNOW
The Board of Trustees has unanimously approved Jeanette Nuñez as the university’s seventh president. Nuñez, who currently serves as FIU’s interim president, will be the first woman and the first Hispanic to lead the institution permanently.
Trustee Colson, in a public meeting on February 7, expressed that Nuñez’s appointment could work as long as respect for free speech, academic freedom, and the critical role of shared governance are not compromised.
Trustee Barengo, Chair of the Faculty Senate, also expressed during the February 7 meeting the Faculty Senate’s deep concerns over what they saw as another effort by the Governor’s office to interfere with public higher education.
Nevertheless, the vote to approve Interim President Nuñez’s appointment was unanimous.
In a public statement, Board Chair Roger Tovar cited Nuñez’s experience in public service and her longstanding connection to the university as key factors in the board’s decision.
Nuñez holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from FIU and has remained engaged with the university throughout her career. Before stepping into the interim presidency, she served as Florida’s Lieutenant Governor, where she led statewide initiatives in public health, education, and space policy.
In accepting the permanent role, Nuñez emphasized her personal ties to FIU and her commitment to its continued growth. “As an FIU alumna, I know firsthand the transformative power of this institution,” she stated. “It is the honor of a lifetime to return home and serve as president.”
As president, Nuñez will be responsible for guiding FIU’s strategic direction, overseeing academic and research initiatives, and strengthening the university’s engagement with both local and global partners.
The Board of Governors will now vote to approve Nuñez’s appointment.
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