DeSantis appoints new FAMU trustee, replacing Kelvin Lawson as COO ‘rumor’ swirls
In Florida A&M University's latest Board of Trustees changes, Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed FAMU alumna and lawyer Jocelyn Dopson-Rodriguez to the board – replacing longtime trustee and former chair Kelvin Lawson.
But while the appointment was made effective July 11 and is set to end in January 2026, the university was not informed until July 21, FAMU board chair Kristin Harper said during a phone call with the Tallahassee Democrat that same day. A university spokesperson also confirmed the trustee appointment.
At the same time, the university could not confirm or deny information in a July 21 Rattler Nation blog post about Lawson transitioning into the role of FAMU executive vice president and chief operating officer on Aug. 1. "HR doesn't have anything to confirm that rumor," the FAMU spokesperson told the Democrat in a text message.
There was speculation – even before FAMU's 13th President Marva Johnson was selected to lead the university amid strong opposition – that Lawson was going to be named COO at the same time trustees were going through what became a contentious presidential search.
Many view Johnson's ascension as the latest example of DeSantis' hard-right overhaul of the Sunshine State's higher education landscape , which played a key role in her turbulent path to the presidency.
Harper declined to comment on the new trustee appointment or speculation about Lawson being offered the second-in-command role, which FAMU Executive Vice President and COO Donald Palm − one of four finalists in the university's presidential search who was favored by many in the FAMU community and beyond − currently serves in.
Lawson could not be reached for an interview.
Related news: Marva Johnson confirmed as FAMU president amid protests, backlash
"We are deeply grateful to trustee Kelvin Lawson for his 14 years of dedicated service to his alma mater on the FAMU Board of Trustees," FAMU interim President Timothy Beard said in a prepared statement. "His steady leadership helped elevate the university's accountability and performance, and we sincerely thank him for his unwavering commitment to FAMU's mission of student success."
Lawson, a Gadsden County native who lives in Jacksonville, is a national client service director with Acosta Sales and Marketing . The 1985 alumnus of FAMU's School of Business and Industry is also the brother of former U.S. Rep. Al Lawson Jr.
He was first appointed to FAMU's board by former Gov. Rick Scott in March 2011 followed by a reappointment in 2016 , which is the year when he first served as chair and held the title for three two-year terms.
Although his maximum consecutive term of five years expired in January 2021, since he was appointed by a governor, he continued to sit on the board until DeSantis either decided to reappoint him or appoint another individual to replace him.
"Kelvin Lawson is probably one of the best board members (FAMU) has had," Florida Board of Governors vice chair Alan Levine told the Democrat July 21. "He came in as chair during a very difficult time, and he was really able to navigate the board in a way that advanced the university and, most importantly, advanced the students."
Lawson's initial appointment to the board was still fresh when, for example, the university was facing fallout from the November 2011 hazing death of Marching "100" Band drum major Robert Champion, accreditation issues and decreases in enrollment.
In addition, while serving as chair, Lawson was the driving force in convincing the Board of Governors to waive its policy on presidential searches, allowing FAMU trustees to choose former President Larry Robinson as the university's 12th leader.
Levine was unaware of Lawson's trustee replacement until July 21, and he is also unfamiliar with Dopson-Rodriguez. "I'm sure the governor's office did a thorough job of vetting her, and I'm sure I'll learn more about her," Levine said.
As a FAMU alumna, Dopson-Rodriguez – a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native who was raised in Kissimmee – is familiar with the university: She earned a law degree from FAMU's College of Law in Orlando in 2016. Before that, she earned her bachelor's in legal studies with a minor in criminal justice from the University of Central Florida.
Dopson-Rodriguez is currently an attorney at Sammis Law Firm , which is based in Tampa. According to the firm's website, her focus is criminal defense and civil asset forfeiture, and she previously was an assistant public defender for the 13th Judicial Circuit in Tampa.
After graduating from FAMU, she remained connected to its law school by mentoring current students and participating in alumni panels, among other involvements, according to the university.
"It is a pleasure to welcome alumna Jocelyn Dopson-Rodriguez to the FAMU Board of Trustees," Beard said in his prepared statement.
"Since her days as a student ambassador in the FAMU College of Law, Jocelyn has worked tirelessly to defend to protect the rights of the accused and representing public and private entities in various state and federal civil rights cases. We look forward to having her expertise on the board."
Dopson-Rodriguez is also a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL) and the Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (CFACDL), according to the firm.
Her appointment to FAMU's board is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
Tarah Jean is the higher education reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat, a member of the USA TODAY Network – Florida. She can be reached at tjean@tallahassee.com . Follow her on X: @tarahjean_ .
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Jocelyn Dopson-Rodriguez replaces trustee Kelvin Lawson on FAMU board
