Jeanette Nunez resigns to take over as interim FIU president

In an anticipated move, Florida Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nunez is expected to resign from her current position to assume the role of interim president at Florida International University. This transition is expected to happen imminently, as multiple sources indicate that Nunez has already contacted key officials at FIU to discuss the process. A special meeting has been convened by the FIU Board of Trustees to further deliberate this presidential search and selection, indicating urgency surrounding her appointment as interim president. Currently, Kenneth Jessell serves as the FIU president under a contract that runs until the end of the year. However, Nunez's selection as acting president is expected to take effect immediately upon her resignation from the lieutenant governor's office. This rapid transition highlights a strategic decision by the Board to address FIU's leadership while also taking into account the financial implications that her presence could bring. Nunez's history with the university—having earned both her undergraduate and master's degrees there—makes her a fitting candidate for the role. The move is not just administrative; it aligns with broader efforts in Florida to politicize educational institutions by placing allies of Governor Ron DeSantis in prominent positions. Nunez’s supporters believe her extensive background and connections will enhance the university's fundraising efforts and help secure additional funding from the state legislature. This appointment is seen as beneficial for both Nunez’s career trajectory and for the university's financial pursuits. The eventual appointment will leave a vacancy in the lieutenant governor position, which DeSantis plans to address at a later time, thereby maintaining political leverage leading up to future gubernatorial elections. As this transitional phase unfolds, it remains to be seen how Nunez will navigate her new responsibilities while ensuring that Kenneth Jessell’s exit from the presidency is handled with respect to his long-standing contributions to the university. He is expected to take a sabbatical before returning to a tenured professorship, ensuring continuity in leadership even amidst changes at the executive level. The trustees’ decision underscores both the immediate need for leadership at FIU and the longer-term implications of political alignments in Florida's educational landscape.