June 2025 | Brittney J. Miller
This legislative session, lawmakers proposed bills to make universities’ presidential searches more transparent by repealing a law shielding candidates from public records requests. As of press time, the bills had been indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration.
Several schools, like USF and FIU, are actively searching for permanent presidents. Other institutions in a state of transition included:
- UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, Gainesville
Ben Sasse, a former two-time Republican U.S. senator for Nebraska, was the contentious pick for UF’s 13th president in February 2023. He abruptly resigned in July 2024, citing his wife’s epilepsy diagnosis. Former UF President Kent Fuchs is reprising his role until a new president is selected. On May 4, the university announced its sole and unanimous recommendation for a finalist: Santa J. Ono, the current president at the University of Michigan. Ono, a Canadian- American, has a background in immune system and eye disease research.
- SAINT LEO UNIVERSITY, St. Leo
Ed Dadez, who served Saint Leo University for 25 years, cited personal reasons for stepping down this February after 2.5 years as president of Florida’s first Catholic university. James DeTuccio, the school’s vice president of business affairs and chief financial officer, is serving as interim president until a permanent replacement is found.
- FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY, Tallahassee
Former president Larry Robinson stepped down in July 2024 after he failed to properly vet a highly publicized and ultimately fraudulent $237.8-million donation for Florida’s only public Historically Black College or University. Interim President Timothy Beard, previously the president of Pasco-Hernando State College, has filled the role since August. Four finalists for permanent president were announced in April.