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Today the Florida International University Board of Trustees voted unanimously to name Jeanette M. Nuñez the university’s seventh president. The selection of Nuñez, who has served as FIU’s interim president since February, is pending confirmation by the Florida Board of Governors.
“President-designate Nuñez’s unique combination of experience and extensive network make her the ideal leader to help propel FIU into the future,” said Tovar. “I can think of no better advocate for FIU.”
Once confirmed, Nuñez will be the first FIU alumna to hold the top job. She earned a bachelor’s degree from FIU in political science and international relations in 1994 and a master’s degree in public administration in 1998. She also is a former adjunct faculty member who taught a graduate-level course on health policy and served as a guest lecturer over the years.
Prior to serving as interim president, Nuñez spent 15 years serving the State of Florida both as a state representative and as lieutenant governor. Before serving in government, she was vice president of governmental affairs at Jackson Health Systems and held similar leadership positions at Kendall Regional and Aventura Hospital Medical Center.
In February, the FIU Board of Trustees named her interim president.
“I am humbled by the trust that has been placed in me by the Board of Trustees to serve as the seventh President of my alma mater,” said Nuñez. “FIU is a preeminent, top 50, major public research university and I look forward to leading our institution to even greater success.”
The search committee, chaired by Carlos A. Duart, vice chair of the FIU Board of Trustees, worked with a search firm to identify, recruit and interview candidates. After a thorough review and interview process, the Presidential Search Committee selected three finalists for recommendation to the FIU Board of Trustees. The three finalists included a sitting president and sitting provost at other institutions, as well as Nuñez.
The two other finalists chose not to continue to the final phase of the process unless they were named the sole final candidate. The committee unanimously agreed to move Nuñez forward as its sole finalist for consideration by the FIU Board of Trustees, citing her proven record of leadership and unique qualifications.
“Since stepping into this role in February, and guided by FIU’s strategic plan, Experience Impact 2030, President-designate Nuñez has engaged tirelessly and enthusiastically with students, faculty, staff, and our community. She has focused on improving the student experience, ensuring research excellence, and establishing and strengthening strategic alliances,” Duart said. “FIU is in great hands.”
In May, as part of the search process, Nuñez held public forums to discuss her vision for FIU and answer questions from students, faculty, staff and members of the community. During the forums, Nuñez said she is committed to helping FIU rank among the top 30 public universities in the country by 2030 and will work to improve the student experience and the athletics program. She is also focused on FIU’s future in health care education and research, leveraging FIU’s partnerships with Baptist Health South Florida and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.
FIU ranks among the nation’s top 50 public universities, according to the U.S. News and World Report rankings. FIU also has been ranked Florida’s top university by The Wall Street Journal and Washington Monthly. In 2024, FIU also was named a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, and ranks first among Florida public universities in performance metrics.
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