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.”