Board Chair Rogelio Tovar said Gov. Ron DeSantis' office contacted him and asked him to consider Nuñez as the next president.

In a Friday morning online vote, the Florida International University Board of Trustees hired Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez as its interim president in a hasty vote pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and board Chair Rogelio Tovar.

Jeanette Nuñez, who has spent her career in politics, has a resume that marks a departure from previous FIU presidents. Unlike the university’s past two presidents, Nuñez — who was selected without a search — does not have experience in education administration nor extensive experience in academia.

Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez was appointed FIU interim president, effective Feb. 17, 2025, following Kenneth Jessell's early departure.

Florida International University’s Board of Trustees agreed to make Florida Lieutenant Gov. Jeanette M. Nuñez interim president and assign current President Kenneth Jessell to a new executive role.