FAMU Board of Trustees names Larry Robinson Interim President

The Florida A&M University Board of Trustees today named distinguished professor and researcher Larry Robinson, Ph.D., interim president.

“Dr. Larry Robinson has a proven record of success when it comes to leading the University during transitional periods. He is respected among the higher education community as a leader, researcher, and educator, is well known and cared for by our alumni, and he has been embraced by students he has worked with in his previous interim roles,” said Board Chair Kelvin Lawson.

The move comes after the Board voted to enter into an immediate separation agreement with former President Elmira Mangum, Ph.D.

“The Board of Trustees looks forward to working with Dr. Robinson in paving the way forward for FAMU. We thank Dr. Mangum for her service and contributions and wish her well in her future endeavors,” Lawson said.

Robinson most recently chaired the University’s Strategic Planning Task Force, and previously served the University as interim president from July 2012 to March 2014 and as chief operating officer in 2007.

After the announcement of his appointment today, Robinson said that he would immediately embark on listening and information sessions with staff, faculty, students, alumni, and supporters as the University prepares for its next era.

“I am excited about the opportunity to, once again, serve in the capacity of interim president for Florida A&M University,” said Robinson, who serves as the director of the newly established, FAMU-led National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems.

He added, “FAMU has a long tradition of excellence, and I am committed to ensuring that, that tradition continues as we focus on the future. I am thankful for the confidence the Board of Trustees has in my ability to advance the mission of this great institution and build upon its legacy.”

Robinson’s previous work at the University represents a diverse range of leadership. He served as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs from 2003-2005 and vice president for Research from 2009-2010.

In May 2010, Robinson took a leave of absence from the University to serve as assistant secretary for Commerce for Conservation and Management at NOAA.

Robinson returned to FAMU as special assistant to the president and professor in November 2011 to coordinate administrative and eminent scholar searches and integrate Graduate Studies and Title III Programs within the Division of Sponsored Research. He was later asked to chair the University’s Crisis Management Team, which addressed a number of issues, including anti-hazing efforts.

Prior to his executive roles at the University, Robinson was the director of FAMU’s Environmental Sciences Institute (recently elevated to the School of the Environment) from 1997-2003.

Before joining FAMU as a director and professor in 1997, Robinson was a research scientist and group leader of a neutron activation analysis facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. His research responsibilities included trace element analysis in environmental science, epidemiology, forensics, material science and paleontology. His expertise also includes environmental radiochemistry, and nuclear safeguards and non-proliferation.

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