Presidential Briefing November-December 2024
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The months of November and early December have truly showcased the reality that “good things happen at FAMU every day.” Congratulations to the Fall 2024 FAMU graduating class! It was an honor to greet more than 700 graduates on stage at the Lawson Center during this past weekend’s Fall commencement ceremonies. The graduating Rattlers were inspired by keynote speakers Ms. Malinda Williams, actress and founder of the Arise And Shine Foundation, Inc., and Mr. Marc H. Morial, former mayor of New Orleans and president/CEO of the National Urban League. Surrounded by thousands of supportive family members, friends, faculty, and staff, these graduates were celebrated for their dedication and perseverance in completing their degrees.
A heartfelt thank you goes to Associate VP Bomani Spell, Dean Valencia Matthews, Ph.D., Mrs. Sabrina Thompson, and the entire FAMU team for their outstanding efforts in coordinating the Fall 2024 Commencement ceremonies. Special thanks are also extended to FAMU Board of Trustees members Chairman Kristin Harper and Loryn May for their participation in the event.
November began with the energy and excitement of Homecoming 2024 and concluded with even more fanfare in Orlando during the 2024 Florida Classic. The week’s activities included a three-day President’s Recruitment Tour in St. Petersburg, Tampa, and Orlando, where I had the opportunity to connect with nearly 5,000 high school students and potential future Rattlers. This fruitful tour highlighted the bright future of our University.
The Florida Classic festivities in Orlando brought together thousands of alumni and FAMU supporters who traveled from across the country to participate in the celebrations. The weekend culminated in an exhilarating fourth consecutive Rattler football team victory over Bethune-Cookman University, with nearly 60,000 fans in attendance and an additional 25,000 tailgating outside the stadium. Congratulations to Coach James Colzie III, the coaching staff, and the student-athletes for their impressive performance and representation of FAMU, finishing the season with a commendable 7-5 record.
What more can be said about the Marching 100? Often imitated but never duplicated, they were recently crowned the 2024 “Best Band in the Land” at the pre-Celebration Bowl activities in Atlanta, Georgia. Congratulations to Band Director Dr. Shelby Chipman, the staff, and the talented student band members for their extraordinary performance, besting North Carolina A&T to claim this prestigious title.
Florida A&M University continues to make strides in academics and funding opportunities. The FAMU School of Nursing was awarded significant funding through the Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) program, established by the Florida Board of Governors in 2022. This includes a $375,000 matching contribution from HCA Florida Healthcare, which will support the FAMU Nursing Undergraduate Retention, Success, and Excellence (NURSE) Scholars Program.
Additionally, the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) has committed $5 million to address the state’s teacher shortage, projected to reach 10,000 vacancies by the 2024–25 school year. FAMU’s College of Education has secured nearly $500,000 through the DOE's Pathways to Career Opportunities Grow Your Own Teacher Grant. This funding will support grade K-6 apprenticeships for full-time paraeducators while enabling them to earn their degrees in education, focusing on addressing shortages in Leon, Gadsden, Jefferson, and Madison Counties.
I would also like to thank Mr. Jamal Sowell and the Office of Governmental Relations for organizing the first in a series of on-campus receptions for local and state legislative delegation members. These legislators have expressed their strong support for ensuring that FAMU’s Legislative Budget Requests are prioritized in the state’s 2025 budget.
Together, we continue to celebrate the achievements and progress of Our university.
Rattler Nation, the best is yet to come!
President’s Highlights of Activities and Engagements Attended or Participated in November and December:
- Homecoming Convocation and 40 Under 40 Recognition Ceremony
- SWAC Football Matchups: FAMU vs. Texas Southern, FAMU vs. Mississippi Valley State
- Quarterly Meeting of the Board of Trustees
- Habitat for Humanity Dedication Event
- President’s Student Recruitment Tour: St. Petersburg, Tampa, and Orlando
- Florida Classic Football Game and Associated Events, Orlando, FL
- HBCU President Council Gathering
- SWAC Football Matchups: FAMU vs. Bethune-Cookman University, FAMU vs. Alabama A&M University
- Weekly Conference Call with Chancellor and State University System Presidents
- Academic Analytics Rollout Session
- Weekly Conference Call with FAMU Board of Trustees Chairperson
- FAMU Foundation Board of Directors Meeting
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) National Meeting, Austin, Texas
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS HIGHLIGHTS
Under the leadership of Dr. Allyson Watson, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, the divisional team has achieved several significant milestones. Highlights of these accomplishments include:
- Kudos to Provost Allyson L. Watson for establishing an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Advisory Council and a Carnegie Research 1 (R1) Task Force. These initiatives reflect FAMU’s dedication to equipping students for emerging workforce demands and positioning the University as a leader in high-impact research.
- The Accelerate Research: FAMU Faculty Boost Fund is a one-time funding initiative aimed at empowering early and mid-career faculty members. With a total fund of $25,000, eligible faculty can apply for grants of up to $2,000, awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until the funds are exhausted.
- The Academic Affairs Catalyst Grant Program (AACGP) was established to foster collaboration among faculty, students, and staff on transformative projects. This program drives excellence in research, scholarship, creative arts, student success, and curriculum innovation.
These accomplishments underscore FAMU’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence and innovation.
STUDENT AFFAIRS HIGHLIGHTS
Under the leadership of Dr. William Hudson, Vice President of Student Affairs, the Student Affairs team accomplished several notable achievements. Highlights include:
- Coordinated the St. Pete/Tampa/Orlando Classic Presidential Recruitment Tour, engaging over 5,000 students, parents, and community members.
- The FAMU Food Pantry supported students through 1,091 visits.
- Student Health Clinic and Student Counseling Services provided in-person appointments to 434 students.
- Better Minds Virtual Mental Health Counseling served 834 registered users and conducted 55 virtual counseling sessions.
- The 2024 Fall Career and Internship Expo achieved the highest student participation in four years, with 2,096 students attending—a 13.4% increase from Fall 2023. The event featured 157 participating organizations.
These achievements reflect the division’s commitment to enhancing student well-being, engagement, and success.
STRATEGIC PLANNING, ANALYSIS, AND INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS (SPAIE)
Under the leadership of Dr. Roddrick Jones, Vice President of SPAIE, and the dedicated SPAIE team, the division achieved the following significant accomplishments and provided key services:
- Strategic Planning: Successfully facilitated departmental alignment of Year-3 Key Initiatives within the "Boldly Striking" strategic framework. Coordinated Direct Support Organizations (DSO) meetings and workshops, resulting in the development of DSO goals, strategic initiatives, and alignment of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) with the "Boldly Striking" Strategic Plan.
- Profile Reports: Developed and delivered three specialized analytics reports focusing on Pell recipients, transfer students, graduation rates, and degrees awarded.
- Board of Governors State Files and Reports: Ensured the timely and accurate submission of critical state files to the Board of Governors, including the Instruction and Research Data (IRD) and Hours to Degree (HTD) reports.
These accomplishments highlight the division's commitment to strategic excellence and data-driven decision-making.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
Under the leadership of Mr. Robert Seniors, Vice President of Information Technology Services (ITS), the division accomplished several key milestones and provided essential services, including:
- Slate Admissions CRM: Successfully completed the first major milestone, enhancing applicant progress visibility and streamlining decision-making processes.
- Workday Platform Implementation: Achieved the second key milestone by finalizing the configuration of the Workday Foundation Tenant, enabling Finance and HCM users to begin unit testing.
- Florida LambdaRail (FLR) Board Meeting: Hosted the FLR Board of Directors meeting on campus. FLR is Florida’s independent statewide research and education fiber optic network, supporting collaboration in academic, scientific, educational, and clinical application development through high-speed communications.
These accomplishments underscore the division's dedication to innovation, operational efficiency, and fostering strategic partnerships.
FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Under the leadership of Mrs. Rebecca Brown, Vice President of Finance and Administration, the division achieved several significant milestones and delivered impactful services. Highlights include:
Business & Auxiliary Services
- The Hub Dining Room Expansion Project is currently under construction and scheduled for completion by August 2025. This expansion is designed to accommodate mandatory meal plan holders residing on the south side of campus, as well as students, faculty, and staff seeking dining options.
Campus Safety & Security
- Special recognition goes to the Campus Safety and Security Team for ensuring a successful Homecoming Week without any major incidents.
- In light of the increase in violent incidents on campuses nationwide, the coordinated efforts and visible presence of FAMU Campus Security, the Tallahassee Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies demonstrated a strong commitment to maintaining campus safety and order.
Office of Human Resources (HR) and Facilities
- The HR Team successfully completed the 2024 employee open enrollment period, an essential process to inform employees of their benefit options and facilitate official updates to their coverages.
- The Facilities Team completed the re-roofing projects at the Grand Ballroom and Foote-Hilyer Administration Center.
- The Facilities Planning and Construction Team currently manages 52 active projects with a combined value of $217,718,803.
These achievements reflect the division’s dedication to enhancing campus infrastructure, safety, and employee well-being.
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS HIGHLIGHTS
Under the leadership of Dr. Alonda Thomas, Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, the Office of Communications achieved several notable accomplishments, including:
- Fall 2024 A&M Magazine: Produced the latest edition of the magazine, featuring a cover story highlighting the Interim President.
- FAMU Institutional Hype Video: Created and premiered the new institutional hype video at the Florida Classic Luncheon in Orlando.
- Fall 2024 Commencement Speakers: Secured and announced distinguished speakers for the Fall 2024 Commencement ceremonies—actress, author, and entrepreneur Malinda Williams, and National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial.
These achievements highlight the office's commitment to showcasing FAMU’s excellence
and enhancing its institutional profile.
DIVISION OF AUDIT
Under the leadership of Mr. Joseph Maleszewski, Vice President of Audit, the Audit team accomplished several significant milestones and delivered impactful services, including:
- Fraud Awareness Promotion: Distributed educational materials via the Daily Venom to support Fraud Week, fostering a culture of compliance, ethics, and strong internal controls.
- P-Card Usage Investigations: Completed investigations related to P-Card usage, enhancing internal controls and risk management while promoting institutional accountability and compliance.
- Annual Audit Plan Update: Refined the Annual Audit Plan to align with institutional goals and address emerging risks, demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in audit planning.
- Cybersecurity Compliance: Engaged an external contractor to ensure compliance with federal cybersecurity standards, reinforcing the University’s commitment to data security and regulatory adherence.
These achievements underscore the Audit team’s dedication to strengthening institutional
oversight and supporting operational excellence.
ATHLETICS
Under the leadership of Mrs. Angela Suggs, Vice President and Director of Athletics, the Athletic staff and teams achieved several remarkable accomplishments, including:
- FAMU Volleyball Team: Won its third Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Tournament Championship, marking the most SWAC championships by any team in the department within just four seasons in the SWAC.
- USTA Florida HBCU Program Support Grant: FAMU Athletics was awarded the organization’s second-ever Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Program Support Grant, a $100,000 grant aimed at supporting and growing the tennis program. This grant reinforces USTA Florida’s commitment to promoting growth, diversity, and inclusion in tennis at HBCU institutions statewide.
- Jake Gaither Leadership Award: FAMU defensive back Kendall Bohler was honored with the 2024 Jake Gaither Leadership Award from the Tallahassee Quarterback Club. This prestigious award is presented annually to a FAMU football student-athlete who excels on the field, in the classroom, and demonstrates outstanding leadership.
These achievements highlight the continued success and leadership of FAMU Athletics across various programs and student-athletes.
As an alumnus of the number one HBCU in America and a top 100 university, I am both humbled and grateful to serve the diverse community of institutional stakeholders as the Interim President. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you for your contributions that help make our students and FAMU better every day. And let’s always remember, as Rattlers, we must Strike, Strike, and Strike Again!
Boldly Striking and Happy Holidays!
Timothy Beard, Ph.D., CRC, BCMC
Interim President
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