Johnson Details First 100 Days at FAMU with Stabilization, Strategic Growth and a Renewed Call for Unity
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida A&M University President Marva B. Johnson, J.D., is marking her first 100 days in office by emphasizing stabilization, transparency, and a heightened commitment to student success. Speaking with journalists on Friday, Nov. 14, Johnson outlined the progress made since her start on Aug. 1, emphasizing her dedication to listening to stakeholders and implementing immediate measures to strengthen operations at Florida’s only public historically Black university.
“The measure of my success for the first 100 days is whether I accomplished the things that I needed to accomplish: to fully listen, to immerse myself in the culture of the institution,” Johnson said, adding “and to gain the framework and understanding that I need in order to position the University for success long term.”
Johnson’s early tenure unfolded amid elevated expectations following a season shaped by leadership transitions, audit concerns and intense public debate over her appointment. She said the fire she encountered, even from critics, has helped ground her administration.
“The passion of the Rattler faithful is unparalleled,” she said. “There is no other institution in this country whose alumni carry that firebrand passion for protecting its mission.”
FAMU Rattlers have been vocal about their expectations; feedback President Marva B.
Johnson says makes her decisions stronger and better informed. (Photo by Glenn Beil/FAMU)
Stabilizing Leadership and Financial Systems
Johnson said one defining milestone to date is the stabilization of the University’s internal operations.
“What I am most proud of in that short 100 days is that we’ve stabilized the enterprise,” she said. She highlighted key hires and restructuring, including Chief Operating Officer Kelvin Lawson and Vice President for Health Sciences and Research Donald Palm, Ph.D., along with her ongoing search for a permanent chief financial officer.
She also praised Interim CFO Nichole Murry for guiding the University through “a pretty spicy financial dilemma” and helping to resolve six audit findings that drew statewide scrutiny.
Johnson said Murry “has really done a fantastic job… and I’m very grateful that she helped us navigate through that process.”
To strengthen internal controls, Johnson also brought in national accounting firm Mitchell & Titus to establish sustainable financial processes.
“We saw as a result of those findings that we did not have the competency we needed in our financial administrative offices,” she said, noting that supplemental expertise was necessary to put FAMU on stable footing.
President Marva B. Johnson, J.D., said one of her challenges was the "capacity to
move fast" to implement the transformational change that students need. (Photo by
Michael Cork/FAMU)
Healing Divisions and Building Trust
Johnson acknowledged entering office amongst opposition from some alumni and internal stakeholders, many of whom questioned her nontraditional higher education background. She responded by seeking out meetings with some who objected to her appointment.
“To sit down one-on-one with a number of these leaders… has been helpful to me,” she said. “Many of them leave knowing that whether they supported me at the onset or not, the University’s success is tied to my success.”
A self-described collaborative leader, Johnson said she values broad input and transparency.
“I believe that the truth unchallenged is stagnant. Iron sharpens iron,” she said. “My decision is going to be stronger when it’s well informed.”
She also affirmed her commitment to faculty and staff, whom she called “the lifeline of this institution.” Johnson said she is working closely with Provost Allyson Watson to develop new professional tracks, expand professional development and pursue compensation strategies aligned with market rates.
“One of my big challenges is making sure that I identify a path forward in order to create the financial stability we need to allow us to compensate our faculty and staff,” she said.
As a first step toward talent retention, Johnson implemented a one-time four percent financial incentive for eligible university faculty and staff and allocated $1.5 million for grant opportunities.
President Marva B. Johnson, J.D., gives an overview of her first 100 days to members
of FAMU's student media. (Photo by Michael Cork/FAMU)
Student Success and Campus Safety
Johnson said the University must move with urgency to deliver improvements that directly benefit students.
“The biggest challenge is the capacity to move fast,” she said. “Every day that goes by that we don’t implement the transformations that we know will bring value and improve our student success is a day that one student doesn’t get the value of those transformational outcomes.”
She also noted that campus safety will require continued investment amid national threats to HBCUs.
“Every dollar spent on campus safety is invaluable to ensure that when parents leave their students here with us, they are confident that they have left them somewhere safe,” she said.
Preparing for FAMU’s Next Era
Looking ahead, Johnson said her administration will focus heavily on enrollment growth, strengthening partnerships, and expanding FAMU’s research footprint.
She plans to revive the personal recruitment strategy of former President Frederick S. Humphries, calling his approach “phenomenal” and noting its role in elevating FAMU during his tenure. She said the University will leverage the HBCU Change fundraising platform to support the revitalized Life Gets Better scholarship program and attract high-achieving students.
Johnson is also prioritizing FAMU’s pursuit of R1 research status, a federal designation for top-tier institutions. She said the team working with Palm to set FAMU’s path to attain R1 status now has “great clarity” on what milestones are required, including doubling the number of doctoral graduates.
“We truly actually need to spend maybe twice” the current amount to reach 70 annual Ph.D. degrees, she said.
Her administration will also update the University’s master plan to expand on-campus housing, enhance community engagement and create a more dynamic learning experience.
“We want our campus to be a destination… full of life and vigor for not just the students on our campus, but for the community,” she said.
President Marva B. Johnson, J.D., talks about the future of FAMU. (Photo by Michael
Cork/FAMU)
An Optimistic Outlook
Johnson said her first 100 days have affirmed her belief in the power of FAMU’s legacy, and the immense possibilities ahead.
“I see a pathway forward that ensures us that we’ll be able to continue to advance our legacy… and transform our curriculum and our campus in a way that allows us to sustain our growth well into the future,” she said.
She said she remains motivated by the people who make FAMU what it is.
“When we say ‘Excellence with Caring,’ we say it and we show it,” she said. “I’m so incredibly proud to have the opportunity to be the 13th president and to continue to grow the legacy fueled by the passion of FAMUans.”
When asked, President Marva B. Johnson, J.D., responded with Gospel and Hip-Hop as
her two favorite music genres. She also told WFSU's Gina Jordan she enjoys working
out to Gospel rap. (Photo by Michael Cork/FAMU)
READ PRESIDENT JOHNSON'S 100-DAY REPORT: HERE
Media Contact:
Rachel James-Terry
Senior Director of Strategic Communications
rachel.jamesterry@famu.edu
