US News

Nuñez Resigns from Position as Florida’s Lieutenant Governor


Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez has been named the interim president of Florida International University (FIU).

On February 17, Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez stepped down from her position to assume the role of interim president at FIU.

Nuñez, who has served as the second-highest-ranking official in Florida since January 2019, expressed in a message to students that it is essential for FIU to excel as an educational institution.

“Our aim must be to ensure that FIU delivers a high-quality education and an unparalleled student experience,” she stated.

“In order to reach that goal, we need to prioritize academic rigor, educational excellence, the quest for knowledge and truth, civil discourse, and diversity of thought.

“Additionally, we must focus on innovative research, capitalize on our partnerships to create student opportunities, and cultivate a skilled workforce for our community and state.”

On February 17, Nuñez confirmed that she had accepted the interim position following Kenneth Jessell’s tenure.

“I am deeply honored to have been chosen as the Interim President of Florida International University by the FIU Board of Trustees. As a proud Panther mom and a two-time alumna, I am fully committed to FIU’s success,” Nuñez stated in a social media post.

“I look forward to collaborating with the Board of Trustees in the upcoming days.”

Nuñez’s appointment has sparked criticism within the FIU community, prompting students and faculty to stage a walkout on February 13.

In a post advocating for the walkout, the FIU branches of Students for Justice in Palestine and Young Democratic Socialists of America referenced Nuñez’s positions.

“Nuñez has continuously expressed support for restrictions on abortion, opposition to educational initiatives and DEI, increased ties with Israel, cuts to social programs, and the elimination of in-state tuition for undocumented students, along with other concerning beliefs,” they noted in a post on X.

“Now, her suppressive tactics will be directly impacting our campus.”

In reaction to the walkout, DeSantis commented on X, “If Jeanette didn’t provoke a backlash from leftist faculty, I would be concerned.”

As FIU, a public university, will need to conduct a search for a permanent president, it seems more likely that this process will be a formality with Nuñez in charge.

The decision regarding who will replace Nuñez as lieutenant governor is still pending.





Source link

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.