FAMU Assistant VP Carmen Cummings-Martin is named university's new chief of staff
Florida A&M University's interim President Timothy Beard looked within his senior leadership team to pick his new chief of staff – Carmen Cummings-Martin, who has been serving as assistant vice president of Alumni Affairs and University Advancement.
Beard named Cummings-Martin to the position during a leadership team meeting Tuesday morning, and she begins on March 17. She will also continue her current role and report directly to Beard.
She is still known to many longtime Tallahasseeans from her days as a news reporter and then anchor for WCTV's Eyewitness News in Tallahassee.
"I am excited to have Carmen serve as chief of staff on the leadership team," Beard said in a prepared statement. "Her years of experience in alumni relations, government relations and logistics will be an asset, and her commitment to Florida A&M University is palpable."
While Cummings-Martin's salary in her assistant vice president position is nearly $148,000, it is unclear what her annual pay will be while serving in the additional role. But former FAMU Chief of Staff Tola Thompson's salary was $245,000, according to the State University System of Florida's fall 2024 database .
The Tuesday announcement came amid FAMU's ongoing senior leadership team changes and follows Thompson's brief five months in the role .
More: FAMU chief of staff Tola Thompson stepping down after five months in role
With the new appointment being one of the several latest changes in Beard's leadership team restructuring efforts , a couple of other recent hires have included Vice President of Government Relations Jamal Sowell and, most recently, Vice President for University Advancement and Executive Director of the FAMU Foundation Anthony Neal .
"I am honored and humbled to navigate into this new assignment. Those who know me understand my passion and unwavering commitment to Florida A&M University," Cummings-Martin said in a prepared statement.
"I convey gratitude to Interim President Beard for the opportunity. I have always tried to be a team player in every aspect of my professional journey."
Cummings-Martin, who earned her bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism at FAMU in 1984, has served the university for over 17 years.
She was executive director of FAMU's Office of Alumni Affairs in 2007 before being promoted to her current position, where she is responsible for foundation-related events for FAMU.
Throughout her career, she has received several awards and recognitions that include the FAMU National Alumni Association's Distinguished Alumna of the Year Award and the National HBCU (Historically Black College and University) Alumni Director of the Year award.
As FAMU's chief of staff, Cummings-Martin's duties will consist of advising Beard and managing projects while ensuring that the university's goals are met.
Tarah Jean is a reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can reached at tjean@tallahassee.com and follow her on X: @tarahjean_ .
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU's Carmen Cummings-Martin named new chief of staff of HBCU
