FAMU faculty, students express what kind of president they want. Here's what they said.

Nissa Phillip was one of just a dozen Florida A&M University students who participated in a listening session on campus Monday, where she shared her expectations for FAMU's next leader. 

"I want someone who believes and understands FAMU traditions and FAMU spirit," Phillip, a second-year student and a Jacksonville native, said as she sat in the Student Union building's Multipurpose Room. 

"Of course, the administrative side is heavily important, but as a student, I'd like to have a president who'll be at the games and hang out with us at the CAF. That's what we're gonna see on a day-to-day basis." 

As a FAMU presidential search is underway, the university hosted in-person listening sessions Monday morning and afternoon to hear from staff, administration members, faculty and students – giving them the opportunity to provide feedback on the qualifications needed for the university's next president. 

An additional session was also held both in person and virtually Monday evening for alumni and the general public to share their input. The meetings have been the only scheduled listening sessions during the search so far.

FAMU Board of Trustees Vice Chair Deveron Gibbons – who is also chair of the university's 15-member presidential search committee – and two representatives of FAMU's executive search firm Myers McRae listened to stakeholders at each of the sessions, taking notes to know what the committee members should look out for when considering candidates.

Other FAMU news: FAMU chief of staff Tola Thompson stepping down after five months in role

The listening sessions come as the university expects to have a new president named by this summer after former President Larry Robinson stepped down last year. Interim President Timothy Beard has been serving in the role since August for a one-year term. 

Besides attending scheduled listening sessions, individuals can also access the university's Presidential Search website to share their feedback by filling out a "Stakeholder Input Form" and to obtain more information.

"Just know that in this process that we're going through right now, we don't have a system, so you're giving us the system and the feedback to say what you're looking for," Gibbons told the sessions' participants. "What you say is going to matter in terms of how we select the president."

At the same time, other universities in Florida's State University System with leadership transitions include Florida International University, where Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez recently  began serving as interim president , and Florida Atlantic University, where former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner was named president. 

Most recently, University of South Florida President Rhea Law announced Monday she will step down from her post as major changes continue in the  leadership of Florida public universities,  and a presidential search is also underway at the University of Florida.

A FAMU president who is 'all things to all people'

Similar to the low student turnout at FAMU Monday afternoon, about a dozen individuals gathered in person that morning during the faculty listening session – including a few staff and administration members who were unable to attend their designated listening session earlier. 

"I'd like to have a president who believes in shared governance," said FAMU Faculty Senate Representative Kyle Eidahl, who is also a professor of history at the university. "At the end of the day, the president makes final decisions, but to be able to get input from different stakeholders is really important." 

But most of all, Eidahl says, the campus community needs "someone who really has a love and a care for the university." 

"We're going through a lot of changes right now, and we need someone who's going to stand up for us and for the university as we navigate these political currents," Eidahl said. 

Within Florida's political landscape regarding higher education, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) has long been a particular target for Gov. Ron DeSantis and a critical concern in Florida as activities related to it have been dismantled from colleges and universities across the state. 

And on a national scale, U.S. President Donald Trump's executive orders since Jan. 20 introduced a wave of governmental changes, which include possible cuts in federal funding as well as immigration orders that could affect student enrollment.   

More: FSU, FAMU give campus communities guidance after Trump's orders on DEI funds, immigration

"He or she has got to look beyond their yearly contract to lay the foundation for babies yet unborn to attend universities such as FAMU," FAMU's Director of Special Events Vernon Bryant said, referring to the next president. 

"Thinking about my niece who's 2 months old, I wonder what the educational system will look like when she's ready to go to school." 

Other expectations that faculty members highlighted include the need for a leader with a fundraising background – which the university's search committee is also in favor of – the ability to form strong relationship with alumni and someone with "thick skin" to be able to handle criticism. 

The members also want a visionary when it comes to their approach to technological advancements such as artificial intelligence (AI) – an emerging technology at the forefront of higher education conversations. 

"I would like to see a president who, in some sort, is all things to all people," FAMU's Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Allyson Watson said. 

She also expressed the need for a president with charisma to connect with the legislature and high-level donors, and someone who's committed to helping FAMU reach its goal of reaching a  Carnegie R1 classification  (Very High Research Activity) by 2030. It is currently ranked Carnegie R2 (High Research Activity). 

"We have had conversations for the last seven years about eventually getting to R1, and the faculty really want to hear that the new leader is committed to that," Watson said. 

Students want a president who understands the FAMU culture

During the students' listening session, many of them said they want a president who embraces the student body by being present and accessible. 

"We want someone who can see our needs and wants and curates that into their vision for the university," FAMU student Rikhari Lewis said. 

Lewis also said he's interested in having a president who is on the "younger side" to be able to actively engage in student activities such as football games while having a busy schedule. 

Additional student feedback included the need for more academic advisors and a president who will tackle the university's financial aid processing issues, where many FAMU students over the years have dealt with the slow process of receiving their money to pay for academic and housing expenses in a timely manner. 

FAMU senior Elijah Hooks shared that a challenge he sees the university's next president facing is the change in the state's educational system when it comes to political influence. 

"The challenge is fighting against a system that wasn't made for us in the first place," said Hooks, a Chipley native. 

"We have to continue to stand up to fight for our history being taught – whether it be an attack on DEI or what we're able to teach in the classroom. I think it'll be a challenge for our next president to maneuver around Florida's political atmosphere." 

Another student at the Monday listening session, FAMU senior Bryce White, said already being familiar with the university is crucial. 

"I would like someone who has an understanding and some kind of experience of the FAMU culture, because this is a very unique university," said White, an Atlanta, Georgia native.

Contact Tarah Jean at  tjean@tallahassee.com  or follow her on X:  @tarahjean_ .

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida A&M students, faculty give feedback for ideal new president