TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida’s only publicly and historically black university board has chosen a lobbyist with ties to Republican Gov. Ron de Santis.
The Florida A&M University board of trustees elected Marva Johnson, a senior executive at telecom company Charter Communications and a former member of the state board of education, touted his experience climbing corporate ladders and sailing through the state legislature. Johnson, which must be confirmed by a committee of governors, was previously tapped for various state commissions by Desantis and then Gov. Rick Scott.
“As a leader, I’m advocating for resources. If they get in your way, I’m moving the mountains,” Johnson told the board during a job interview. “I will never be the best academic at this point in my career.”
Johnson’s appointment came to the end of a controversial and sometimes emotional process in which critics claimed to be lacking transparency and tainted by political influence. One member of the FAMU board of directors resigned after the school proposed to suspend searches to address community concerns.
Johnson’s supporters said she is not an academic leader, but she is ready to navigate the changing landscape of higher education when public universities are increasingly dependent on the political priorities of state lawmakers.
“We need to survive in Florida,” said Jamal Brown, a senator and board member. “This moment is looking for people who understand the systems that fund and govern us, because our survival depends on how we navigate these systems.”
Johnson’s choice came to the fierce opposition of some of the school’s most loyal supporters, celebrating the legacy of Famu’s black excellence, social mobility and cultural pride.
“There was a gap between the lack of intellectual depth and the cultural connection, and it was just painfully blatant,” board chair Kirstin Harper said of Johnson.
“In an age of merit-based employment decisions, can we justify setting up candidates who do not meet all position criteria? Harper added.
The board selected Johnson from the field of four finalists. This included Donald Palm, the family’s chief operating officer. Donald Palm was a clear favourite among the outspoken terms of university students and supporters, and was supported by the school’s leading alumni associations.
“When you don’t have your own students, faculty or alumni behind you, no matter what relationship you have, it’s a disaster recipe,” the film producer and alum told the board before the vote. “Don’t set up Malva Johnson to fail, don’t put her in a position to take over the house that has been so divided.”
Johnson’s appointment comes as public universities tackle an increased threat to state and federal funding, with officials overseeing Florida public universities, many of whom were appointed to DeSantis, turning more and more eyes on former Republican state lawmakers to lead the school.
Board member Belvin Perry said he felt no political pressure to select a particular candidate while discussing the search with the governor’s staff. Perry eventually voted for Palm, but Johnson’s choice felt inevitable.
“That’s a natural conclusion regarding the outcome of this vote today,” Perry said. “That’s the truth.”
___Kate Payne is a legional member of the Associated Press/Reports’ American State University News Initiative. Report for America is a non-profit, national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on infiltrated issues.
