Campus
Marva Johnson Appointed President of Florida A&M University Amid Widespread Controversy
Florida A&M University, the state’s only public historically Black university, is entering a new chapter as its Board of Trustees voted Friday to appoint telecom executive Marva Johnson as its next president. Johnson, a vice president at Charter Communications and a former appointee of Gov. Ron DeSantis to the Florida Board of Education, secured the role with an 8-4 vote—despite intense opposition from students, alumni, and faculty.
Her appointment follows a highly charged and divisive search process that many critics say lacked transparency and community input. Johnson’s limited experience in higher education and her political ties to DeSantis—whose administration has drawn fire for rolling back diversity initiatives and restricting African American history instruction—have fueled protests on campus and beyond.
Supporters argue that Johnson’s political connections could prove strategic, helping FAMU navigate Tallahassee’s Republican-controlled legislature at a time of funding uncertainty. Critics, however, question whether those same ties will compromise the university’s core mission as an HBCU.
“I’m not a Trojan Horse,” Johnson told a skeptical audience at a public forum earlier this week. “I was not sent here to dismantle FAMU.”
If confirmed by the state’s Board of Governors, Johnson could earn up to $750,000 annually—more than $150,000 above her predecessor’s salary. That figure has only added to concerns about the direction of the search and what it signals about university leadership priorities.
Board Chair Kristin Harper, who voted against Johnson’s selection and was later removed from leading contract negotiations, expressed disappointment in the process. “There was a lack of intellectual depth and a gap in cultural connection that was just painfully blatant,” she said.
Johnson’s appointment also comes amid broader efforts by Gov. DeSantis to reshape Florida’s higher education system, often favoring politically aligned candidates over those with academic credentials. If confirmed, Johnson will join a growing number of university leaders in Florida with close ties to the governor.
Jamal Brown, the board’s faculty representative who voted in favor of Johnson, defended the decision: “Our survival depends on how we navigate those systems. If we don’t have leadership that can operate within it, we fall further behind.”
Still, resistance within the FAMU community remains strong. More than 13,000 individuals signed a petition opposing Johnson’s nomination ahead of the board’s vote. During public comment, speakers warned that donor support could be jeopardized, and accused the board of disregarding student and alumni voices.
Prominent FAMU alumnus and film producer Will Packer called the decision “a recipe for disaster,” adding that other notable alumni—including rapper Common, singer K. Michelle, and comedian Roy Wood Jr.—also oppose the appointment.
FAMU’s new student body vice president, Kennedy Williams, echoed the sentiment. “The students are the heart and soul of FAMU and it’s important that they feel as if they’re heard,” she said. “Unfortunately, they weren’t today.”
Concerns about political interference heightened last month after a leaked list of finalists circulated, sparking speculation that Johnson was added late in the process. Tensions escalated further when Trustee Earnie Ellison resigned after calling for a pause in the search to address community concerns. The day before Friday’s vote, Alan Levine—a DeSantis ally and member of the search committee and Board of Governors—nominated a local McDonald’s franchise owner to fill a board vacancy, prompting further scrutiny.
Leon County Commissioner and FAMU instructor Al Lawson criticized the process, calling it “hanky panky.”
Levine, in an interview, denied any political interference, calling rumors about Johnson’s last-minute inclusion “patently false.” He defended her qualifications and cited successful presidencies by other nontraditional candidates, including former Florida State University President and House Speaker John Thrasher.
FAMU continues to recover from past leadership turmoil, including a national scandal involving a fake $237 million donation under Johnson’s predecessor, Larry Robinson, who resigned last year.
State Senator and FAMU alumnus Shevrin Jones urged unity despite lingering frustrations. “FAMU is not a Fortune 500 company,” he said, “but if Johnson can use her political background to address historic underfunding, it may offer some benefit.” Still, he cautioned that political access must not come at the cost of cultural understanding or academic leadership.
“FAMU has survived far worse than this,” Jones said. “As Marva comes in, the first order of business for her is to unite the university.”
Evening nursing track pairs flexible scheduling with professional mentoring and a pathway to employment in Southwest Georgia.
ALBANY, Ga. — Working adults interested in becoming registered nurses will have additional support through a partnership between Albany State University and Phoebe Putney Health System beginning in January 2027.
The ASU/Phoebe Associate of Science in Nursing Evening Track will provide participating students with $10,000 in financial assistance, professional mentoring and clinical learning opportunities. Students must agree to work for Phoebe for two years after graduation, with employment following graduation and licensure.
The partnership builds on Albany State’s existing evening nursing track, which has served students for more than a decade. Its evening schedule helps adults pursue a nursing degree while balancing work and other daytime responsibilities. The program can be completed in as little as five semesters.
Up to 30 students will join the January 2027 cohort.
ASU President Dr. Robert Scott said the collaboration reflects the university’s commitment to making healthcare education more accessible. He emphasized that combining academic preparation with financial and professional support can help working adults succeed while strengthening Southwest Georgia’s nursing workforce.
Students will receive support from both organizations throughout their education. Phoebe will provide mentoring from nursing professionals, while Albany State will offer additional tutoring and success coaching.
Participants will also have opportunities to work as nurse externs at Phoebe, practice clinical skills using simulation resources at both institutions and learn alongside Phoebe’s clinical education teams.
To support instruction, Phoebe will fund one full-time faculty position, one part-time faculty position and two clinical instructor positions at ASU.
Phoebe President and CEO Scott Steiner described the partnership as an investment in local residents and the patients they will eventually serve. He said the collaboration will expand nursing education opportunities while helping the health system develop its future workforce.
The initiative adds to Albany State’s longstanding role in preparing healthcare professionals. According to the university, ASU was the first HBCU in Georgia to establish a nursing program. It now offers nursing pathways at the associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree levels, including options for working healthcare professionals seeking to advance their education.
Priority consideration for the evening cohort will go to legal residents of designated Southwest Georgia counties. Applicants from other Southwest Georgia and North Florida counties may be considered if spaces remain.
Tracy Suber, Phoebe’s vice president for education and talent acquisition, said the program’s local focus is particularly valuable. Supporting students who already live and work in the region can help prepare nurses who will continue serving nearby communities.
The announced application deadline for the January 2027 cohort was November 1, 2026. Applicants were required to gain admission to Albany State before completing the program application. Those interested in future opportunities should contact the university for updated admissions information.
For adults considering a career change, the partnership connects an evening education option with financial assistance, hands-on experience and a pathway into the region’s healthcare workforce.
Source: Albany State University news release, October 19, 2026.
Langston University is investing in new ways to help students succeed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The university announced a five-year National Science Foundation award totaling $2,249,925 to launch ASCEND, a program combining student explanations of their work with AI-assisted learning analysis.
The initiative focuses on challenging foundational courses, including calculus, general chemistry and physics. Its approach asks students to explain how they solve problems and why their methods work through brief video recordings.
Faculty will use those explanations and learning analysis to identify misunderstandings and provide more targeted support.
The goal is to strengthen students’ reasoning and understanding as they progress through their STEM education. Langston also plans to use the project to support faculty development and undergraduate research.
The award highlights an important area of HBCU innovation: improving the learning experience so more students can stay on track toward completing their degrees.
Support our HBCU schools as they create new opportunities for the next generation of scientists, researchers and technology professionals.
Source: Langston University
Tags: HBCU Original, Langston University, STEM education, National Science Foundation, HBCU research, artificial intelligence, student success, undergraduate research, higher education
Students at participating North Carolina HBCUs and minority-serving institutions have an opportunity to receive financial support for the spring 2027 semester.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation is accepting applications for its $2,500 HBCU/MSI Transportation Scholarship through midnight on November 9, 2026.
The program supports students preparing for careers connected to transportation. Eligible areas extend beyond engineering and include qualifying disciplines in business, communications, computer science, aviation, public policy and other fields.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens and North Carolina residents enrolled full time at a participating institution. Additional requirements include a minimum 2.5 GPA and at least 24 completed undergraduate credit hours or nine graduate credit hours.
Students must submit an unofficial transcript, a resume and one recommendation letter with their application.
Review the participating schools and complete eligibility requirements before applying. Share this opportunity with a student who could use additional support.
Support our HBCU students as they prepare for their next chapter.
Source and application: NCDOT HBCU/MSI Transportation Scholarship
Tags: HBCU Original, HBCU scholarships, NCDOT, North Carolina, college scholarships, financial aid, student opportunities, transportation careers, higher education
Talladega College Athletics Joins Ballers Against Bullets to Promote I WANT TO LIVE Campaign
Student athletes are using their platform to support gun violence prevention and encourage safer communities.
TALLADEGA, Ala. Before the final score could tell the story, Talladega College’s junior varsity men’s basketball team delivered a message about something bigger than the game.
The team opened its season against Snead State Community College on October 26 wearing shirts that read I WANT TO LIVE, introducing a partnership between Talladega College Athletics and the Agency for Substance Abuse Prevention through its Ballers Against Bullets initiative.
The effort will extend beyond the basketball season opener. Talladega’s athletic teams plan to wear the campaign’s apparel at games throughout the academic year, bringing a message of safety and violence prevention to students, fans, and surrounding communities.
According to the announcement, the partnership follows recent fatal shootings in the local community. Through their participation, Talladega student athletes are calling attention to the impact of gun violence and encouraging young people to protect their lives and futures.
Ballers Against Bullets brings together athletes, barbers, entertainers, educators, and community leaders to promote responsible decisions and prevent gun misuse. The I WANT TO LIVE campaign carries that message through sports, fashion, music, and youth culture.
For Talladega, the partnership creates an opportunity to connect athletic competition with community involvement. Players can reach other young people who recognize them as teammates, classmates, friends, and role models.
Talladega College Athletics also recognized the basketball team’s participation on social media, reinforcing the campaign’s focus on the value of student athletes’ lives and the need for safer communities.
The effort reflects the longstanding connection between HBCUs and community leadership. By bringing prevention messages into its athletic programs, Talladega is giving students a visible role in addressing concerns that reach beyond campus.
As Ballers Against Bullets works to connect with more colleges and universities, Talladega’s participation offers an example of how athletic departments can help carry the message throughout the school year.
The Alabama based Agency for Substance Abuse Prevention leads the initiative as part of its work in community education and prevention. Through this partnership, a shirt worn before a basketball game becomes an invitation to keep the conversation going about safety, responsibility, and the futures young people deserve.
Tags: Talladega College, Talladega College Athletics, Ballers Against Bullets, I WANT TO LIVE, Agency for Substance Abuse Prevention, HBCU News, HBCU Sports, HBCU Original, Gun Violence Prevention, Student Athletes, Community Safety, Youth Advocacy, College Basketball, Talladega Alabama
Albany State WellFest Draws More Than 1,100 Students for a Day of Health and Wellness
The fifth annual event connected students with free health screenings, fitness activities, groceries, and mental health support.
ALBANY, Ga. Albany State University put student health at the center of campus life during its fifth annual WellFest, drawing 1,159 students, faculty, staff, and community members to the Jones Brothers HPER Complex on East Campus.
Students accounted for 1,107 attendees, more than 95 percent of the total, according to an October 29 university news release.
Hosted by the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, the event used the theme The Wellness Playbook to encourage students to build healthier habits and learn where to turn for support.
Dedra Williams, assistant vice president for Student Affairs and Holistic Development, said the turnout reflected students’ interest in taking care of themselves beyond their academic responsibilities. She emphasized physical activity, nutrition, preventive screenings, and asking for help as part of student success.
Throughout the afternoon, students joined yoga sessions led by Honey Flow Yoga, tried water aerobics, and participated in fitness challenges. Hydration stations and smoothies offered refreshments, while Better Way Grocers provided free healthy groceries.
Attendees also had access to biometric health screenings, first aid education and supplies, and an American Red Cross blood drive. The ASU Cheer Squad brought energy to the event, with interactive activities and door prizes adding to the atmosphere.
The gathering also gave students preparing for health professions an opportunity to put their training into practice.
Nursing students from ASU’s Darton College of Health Professions conducted biometric screenings and helped classmates understand their results. The experience connected classroom learning with direct service to the campus community.
Orlandria Bennett-Reed, director of Student Health Services, said student nurses explained screening results and connected participants with additional care when needed, helping students take an informed approach to their health.
The ASU Dental Hygiene Program shared oral health information and scheduled appointments at the university’s Student Dental Hygiene Clinic.
Mental health support was another focus. Members of ASU’s Active Minds student organization encouraged conversations about emotional wellness and seeking help. Students also met with mental health professionals and community organizations to learn about available services.
In all, WellFest brought together 11 campus and community partners. Participants included the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Phoebe Behavioral Health, Aspire Behavioral Health, The Change Center, Better Way Grocers, the American Red Cross, and Honey Flow Yoga.
Campus partners included Student Health Services, Counseling and Student Accessibility Services, Active Minds, and the Darton College of Health Professions.
Now in its fifth year, WellFest continues to connect Albany State students with practical support for their physical and mental health. From picking up groceries to scheduling a dental appointment, attendees had opportunities to address everyday needs while learning about resources available beyond the event.
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