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MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. - Jeanette Nuñez has confirmed that she has been selected as interim president of Florida International University by the school's board of trustees.
Nuñez shared the news on her X account late Friday morning.
"As a two-time alumna and a proud Panther mom, I am deeply committed to the success of FIU," she wrote on the social media website. "I look forward to working with the board of trustees in the coming days."
Who is Jeanette Nunez?
The backstory:
Nuñez currently serves as Florida’s lieutenant governor. She has held the role since 2019.
Nuñez was elected as Florida’s first Hispanic female lieutenant governor in 2018 and then was reelected in 2022.
As lieutenant governor, Nuñez oversees the Florida Department of Health and serves as the chair of Space Florida. She also serves as chair of Florida’s Cybersecurity Task Force and is a member of the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking, according to her bio on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' website.
Jeanette Nuñez has confirmed that she has been selected as interim president of Florida International University by the school's board of trustees. (Credit: Jeanette Nuñez)
Nuñez previously served as a state representative of the Florida House of Representatives from 2010 to 2018, and she was named speaker pro tempore from 2016 to 2018.
The website states Nuñez began her health care career working at Jackson Health System in 2004 as the state director for government relations before then being promoted to vice president of government relations. In 2010, she became vice president of community affairs for Kendall Regional and Aventura Hospitals and Medical Centers. She also has served on numerous boards and health care organizations.
What is Nunez's relation to FIU?
What we know:
Nuñez is a graduate of FIU, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Political Science and a master’s degree in Public Administration.
She is married to Adrian Nuñez, and they are parents of three children.
What they're saying:
Roger Tovar, chair for FIU's board of trustees, shared a letter with the school's community about the change in leadership. He said he is excited for Nuñez to come home to FIU.
"One of the key characteristics to seek in a president is the ability to advocate for the university," he wrote in the letter. "I can think of no better advocate for FIU than a two-time alumna, from South Florida, who also served in the legislature and as lieutenant governor. In the time that I have known (her), I have always been impressed with her engagement and her tireless efforts as a champion of FIU."
Tovar said DeSantis' office contacted him and suggested the board consider Nuñez as the next leader of FIU.
DeSantis voiced his support for Nuñez's move to FIU in a press conference he hosted Friday morning.
"This is something that she was interested in doing," he said. "I think that she's somebody that's very well regarded in the community."
DeSantis disputed reports Nuñez would resign on Friday, saying there are procedures and contracts that likely need to go through various approval processes.
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DeSantis supports Lt. Gov. Nunez's reported move to FIU
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he supports Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez's move to reportedly be interim president at FIU.
Who will occupy the new open positions?
What's next:
Tovar said Nuñez's new appointment will be effective beginning Feb. 17.
Tovar said President Kenneth Jessell will remain at the university in his new role as senior vice president and chief administrative officer.
In addition, he said the board agreed to retain an executive search firm to assist with a forthcoming presidential search and selection.
Tovar said the school will continue its search for the next permanent president of the school.
"We will look for a leader who will embrace and implement our ambitious vision for this university, as represented in our 2030 strategic plan," he wrote. "Our next leader will be charged with accelerating our efforts around external funding, which include increasing our endowment to at least $500 million, tripling our fundraising and securing additional operational support. In addition, our next president will lead efforts to expand and enhance our sponsored trailblazing research to approximately $600 million in expenditures per year, focused on the areas of environmental resilience, health and health care, tech, and innovation. We also need to become more relevant and competitive in the ever-changing landscape of collegiate athletics."
As far as the next lieutenant governor, DeSantis will be responsible for appointing a successor.
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The Source: This story was written based on information gathered from previous reporting, as well as the X account of Jeanette Nuñez, a letter to the FIU committee from the school's board of trustees chair and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' website.