FAMU Interim President Beard Addresses the Upcoming Leadership Transition
Greetings Rattlers and Friends,
Last week, the Florida A&M University Board of Trustees selected Marva Johnson, J.D., to serve as the 13th president of our beloved institution. I, along with our Florida A&M University Senior Leadership Team, congratulate, express, and offer our commitment and support to Ms. Johnson to ensure a smooth transition of presidential leadership. The Florida Board of Governors is scheduled to confirm her appointment next month, at which point we will communicate the transition timeline.
I want to sincerely thank each of you — students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community stakeholders — for your participation in the presidential search process. Your passion, presence, and candor throughout the campus visits were heartfelt and greatly appreciated. It is abundantly clear that the Rattler Nation cares deeply about FAMU’s future.
We also recognize that the outcome of the Board vote was surprising to many. There was a strong desire among some stakeholders for a more traditional choice. The Board vote reflects a vision for "navigating a rapidly evolving higher education landscape — one that values innovation, adaptability, and strategic partnerships to position FAMU for long-term success."
Please know that our mission remains unchanged: to provide our students with an affordable, high-quality education that prepares them to thrive. Our exceptional faculty and staff are as committed as ever to advancing that mission, and we are already hard at work — hosting summer school and youth enrichment camps, preparing for the arrival of our newest scholars this fall, and evaluating our metrics to continue FAMU’s rise as a top-ranking, high-research university.
As valued members of the FAMUly, I urge you to stay engaged and remain connected. Your advocacy, your feedback, and your financial support are crucial to ensuring that our institution continues to thrive. Please continue to invest in our students, hold leadership accountable, and uplift the core values of Excellence with Caring that have sustained us for 137 years.
FAMU Today, FAMU Tomorrow, FAMU Forever!
With gratitude and commitment,
Timothy L. Beard, Ph.D.
Interim President
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