Tallahassee’s Search for New FAMU President Hits Another Roadblock

Tallahassee’s Search for New FAMU President Stalled Again

In Tallahassee, Florida A&M University (FAMU) continues to face delays in the search for its new president, as the Board of Trustees once again struggled to select an executive search firm. This setback occurred during a board meeting held on the university campus on Thursday.

Who is Involved?

The FAMU Board of Trustees, consisting of 15 members, is responsible for overseeing the presidential search process. The board was initially set to vote on one of seven search firms, but only managed to narrow the options down to three before deciding to extend the discussion to all seven firms. The meeting included representatives from these firms, who participated virtually via Zoom.

What Happened?

After assessing the seven firms using a rating scale from 1 to 10, board members identified the top three firms: Storbeck Search/Diversified Search Group, Isaacson Miller, and Russell Reynolds. However, while addressing questions to these top choices, concerns about compliance with state laws, particularly related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), sparked lengthy discussions. Ultimately, the board chose to delay their decision and schedule a special meeting to gather more information from all the firms.

Where and When Did This Take Place?

The board meeting took place on FAMU’s campus on Thursday. This delay follows a previous special meeting on October 16, where a lack of quorum among trustees prevented any action from being taken.

Why the Delay?

The inability to select an executive search firm is particularly pressing, as FAMU is under a deadline to complete the presidential search by June 2025. The urgency stems from the resignation of former President Larry Robinson, which resulted in the appointment of Timothy Beard as interim president in August for a one-year term. Board Chair Kristin Harper emphasized the importance of collecting comprehensive information from all candidates before proceeding with a decision.

Discussion Highlights

During the meeting, various board members expressed differing opinions on how to proceed. While some trustees, including Craig Reed, downplayed the significance of the DEI discussion, arguing that the focus should be on selecting a suitable firm, others, like Belvin Perry, believed that all firms should have the opportunity to provide their feedback. Additionally, Loryn May, FAMU’s Student Body President, voiced her concern about the potential for further delays, noting that students deserve a timely resolution.

Interim President Beard reiterated the critical need for a thorough decision-making process, stating, “We can’t afford to get it wrong.” However, trustee Kenny Stone insisted the board should proceed with the selection, highlighting that all three selected firms had assured compliance with state regulations.

Looking Ahead

No date has yet been set for the special meeting that will determine which firm will assist the presidential search committee in identifying the best candidates for the university’s presidency. The ongoing struggle raises questions about FAMU’s ability to meet the timeline for appointing new leadership.

As the urgency increases, both trustees and the university community remain hopeful for a prompt resolution to the search process.