Tallahassee — Marva Johnson will make history as president of Florida A&M University. Unfortunately, she will be the first president opposed by every category of stakeholders associated with the storied institution. Her support comes almost exclusively from Governor Ron DeSantis and his eight members on the Board of Trustees. And those political ties have undermined her credibility as an honest broker for FAMU.
On Johnson’s first day on the job, there was no welcome reception, nor did she attend the summer graduation ceremony. To avoid the risks of a public appearance, the newly hired public relations firm uploaded her videotaped remarks to YouTube. She talked of “listening” and “open door policy.” She even used US Senator Rick Scott’s gubernatorial slogan, “Let’s Get to Work,” revealing the influence of her first mentor. The social media posted comments were overwhelmingly negative, removed, and new comments were blocked altogether. Another mistake.
Student leader Devin Nobles has questioned the corrupt process that produced the unqualified Johnson, who fits the DeSantis definition of a DEI employee. “We are constantly subject to irregularities with this administration. It makes me wonder what exactly the objectives are. James Baldwin said, “I can’t believe what you say because I see what you do.” My other question is, if she can’t face us, how can she fight for us?”
The salaries, experience, and credentials of HBCU presidents at institutions of similar size and stature to FAMU reveal a stark contrast to Johnson’s. Howard University President Ben Vinson II has a Ph.D. from Columbia University, a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College, and has held faculty positions at Barnard College, Penn State, and Johns Hopkins University. His estimated salary is over $ 1 million. Howard’s College of Medicine is included among 14 colleges and schools offering graduate and doctoral degrees. FAMU has the same graduate degree profile and number of colleges and schools. A distinguishing factor is that FAMU is the nation’s number 1 public Historically Black University, mainly because of the renowned Carnegie Level II Division of Research.
Johnson’s predecessor, Larry Robinson, has a doctorate in nuclear chemistry, expertise in environmental radiochemistry, nuclear safeguards, and non-proliferation, and decades of teaching and university administrative experience. President Barack Obama also appointed him to lead NOAA. His salary as FAMU president was around $560,000.
Marva Johnson was a cable company lobbyist. She received a law degree from Georgia State University and a B.S. in business administration from Georgetown University. She does not have a terminal degree, which is standard for a president and most deans. The new president’s $900,000 salary makes stakeholders suspicious of her true mission. A small private gathering of ministers who came together in the Grand Ballroom to pray and an unannounced bookstore visit were the extent of Johnson’s schedule outside Lee Hall on Monday.
Negative news stories attacking the previous administration have suddenly appeared in local news outlets. Alumna Kim Godwin, former President of ABC News, says Johnson’s BOT allies are trying to distract. “They want us to ‘look over here,’ but we won’t be distracted. Our own people have sold us out and chosen to be on the wrong side of history. It’s sad.”
“Rough Crowd” BOG Chair on opponents of Marva Johnson’s choice for FAMU
