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Marva Johnson has been tapped to be Florida A&M University's next school president, despite pushback from faculty, staff, and alumni over her MAGA ties and qualifications.
On Friday (May 16), Florida A&M's board of trustees voted 8-4 to select Johnson, a former member of the State Board of Education currently serving as a Charter Communications executive, as the school's president, per WCTV.
Johnson doesn't currently work for a school and has ties to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, whose administration has undermined Black history and education in the state. Her qualifications and political ties sparked widespread backlash over her late entry into the pool of presidential candidates and, ultimately, her selection.
A petition against Johnson's candidacy had garnered over 10,000 signatures on Change.org. Florida's NAACP president also threatened legal action over the selection process of the HBCU's president.
Film director Will Packer, a FAMU alumnus, previously spoke out against Johnson after she was added to the list of candidates.
“HBCUs are under attack. MAGA is trying to take over leadership at several of our beloved institutions. Right now, FAMU is in the bullseye. Hear me loud and clear," Packer said.
In a statement, Johnson said she was "committed to upholding and amplifying" the legacy of FAMU following her selection.
“Florida A&M University has long stood as a beacon of excellence and empowerment. To be considered for the opportunity to lead this storied institution is the honor of a lifetime. I will approach this role with bold vision—focused on student success, innovation, and national prominence —while building strong bridges with the FAMU community and honoring the legacy that makes this university so special. FAMU’s culture and impact are unmatched, and I am committed to upholding and amplifying that legacy as we move forward together," she said.
According to her application, Johnson is seeking a $750,000 base salary. Johnson's contract is expected to be finalized within the coming weeks before the state university system board of governors gives it final approval at a June 17 meeting.
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