On June 18, Marva Johnson, J.D., was confirmed by the Florida Board of Governors as Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University’s (FAMU) 13th president. Chosen to lead one of the nation’s premier Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Johnson has become the center of a heated debate following concerns about her qualifications, leadership, and connections to the Republican Party.
Despite critics claiming she lacks educational experience, Johnson has a strong educational background alongside her corporate roles. She served eight years on the Florida State Board of Education, initially appointed by Governor Rick Scott in 2014 and continuing under Governor Ron DeSantis until 2021.
According to FAMU’s press release, Johnson championed policies to implement performance-based funding while serving as board chair from 2015 to 2019. She aimed to raise graduation rates and enhance accountability across state colleges by expanding access to affordable, high-quality education while closing achievement gaps. DeSantis also appointed her to the Florida Scholars Academy Board to oversee education for vulnerable youth.
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But despite Johnson’s unanimous approval by the Board, her selection has garnered tremendous pushback from the university’s students and alumni.
“If you guys confirm this candidate, it is to reaffirm to all of us … that our voices do not matter,” a computer engineering student at FAMU, told CNN.
At the heart of the opposition to her leadership is her affiliation with the Republican Party. Critics see her as part of a broader agenda to “take over” HBCUs, especially given her ties to Governor DeSantis. Of particular concern will be her role in the broader national effort by the Trump administration to eliminate “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) programs. “Alumni groups, students and faculty members,” CNN reported, “are largely concerned about Johnson’s work under Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration, who banned funding for diversity, equity and inclusion programs at Florida colleges and blocked advanced placement African American studies curriculum in Florida high schools.”
A FAMU alumnus, Will Packer, posted on Instagram that “HBCUs are under attack,” and said that Johnson is part of a political opposition that doesn’t believe in diversity.
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For years, many universities—including HBCUs—have prioritized DEI in their curricula, hiring, and campus culture. In practice, this has often resulted in suppressed free speech, race-based hiring decisions, and discrimination against certain students—namely, white and Asian students.
At FAMU, the campus leans strongly left ideologically. A 2022 Campus Reform analysis found only one right-leaning student group on campus compared to six left-of-center groups. Worse, according to Federal Election Commission data analyzed by Campus Reform, 77.85 percent of FAMU employee political donations during the 2020 cycle went to Democratic candidates, while just 22.15 percent went to Republicans.
Johnson’s appointment challenges this status quo. She believes higher education should prioritize rigorous academics, career preparation, and merit over identity politics and race-based practices.
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Johnson says she is committed to protecting FAMU’s mission and legacy—empowering its community through innovative teaching, research, and service while honoring its legacy of educating African Americans—but also wants to ensure students are ready to enter the workforce:
It is a profound honor to be selected as the 13th president of Florida A&M University—a historic institution with a rich legacy shaped by giants. As president, I recognize the legacy I carry and remain committed to protecting and extending that legacy and FAMU’s mission, while fighting to ensure that we are positioned for success in the evolving higher education landscape. I am ready to bring a bold, business-minded, results-driven approach to advancing student success, financial sustainability, and long-term institutional growth.
Despite the political uproar, Johnson hasn’t proposed dismantling FAMU’s heritage or opportunities for black students—in fact, she has said the opposite.
Since critics have only raised ideological objections, their concerns seem less about her qualifications and more about preserving a political orthodoxy. Her Republican affiliation—and status as a black woman outside progressive norms—has likely intensified scrutiny. Yet her leadership could bring much-needed ideological balance to campus.
If Johnson focuses on academic excellence and student success, there’s no reason she can’t lead FAMU effectively regardless of politics.
Image: “Tallahassee FL FAMU HD marker” by Ebyabe on Wikimedia Commons
