Funk Associates Assists the University of North Florida with the Recruitment of Eighth President
September 22, 2026 – Funk Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Michael P. Shannon as the eighth president of the University of North Florida (UNF). Past president Moez Limayem stepped down from his position in early 2026. “Mike Shannon is the leader who can build on UNF’s strong momentum and continue to elevate the University’s incredible impact across our region and beyond,” said Steve Moore, board of trustees chair. “He brings a deep commitment to student success, a collaborative leadership style and a proven ability to drive institutional growth.”
Following applicable state laws and BOG regulations, the 11-member UNF presidential search committee conducted a five-month national search that attracted 152 applicants and included listening sessions to gather input from key stakeholders and shape the leadership profile for the University’s next president. In August, the committee that was appointed by Mr. Moore and chaired by trustee Jack Boyle forwarded Dr. Shannon to the board of trustees for consideration as UNF’s next president. Mr. Moore and the other trustees thanked the search committee for its thoughtful and comprehensive search.
Dr. Shannon has served as president of the University of North Georgia, a public institution with more than 20,000 students, since 2023. During his tenure, the university reached historic enrollment, strengthened student retention, expanded academic and workforce programs across its five campuses and advanced major investments in STEM, health sciences, leadership development and military education. Dr. Shannon’s leadership emphasized student success, institutional relevance and strong partnerships with government, industry and the communities UNG serves. Dr. Shannon served 20 years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a lieutenant colonel after assignments in the Infantry, Signal Corps, counterproliferation, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and West Point. Following his military career, he worked in small business and at Georgia Tech as a faculty member, researcher and executive.
“I am humbled and honored to be selected as president-elect by the UNF board of trustees, and I look forward to the continued process before the Florida board of governors,” said Dr. Shannon. “UNF is on the verge of becoming one of the great American university success stories of this era. This university has already changed countless lives and strengthened the Northeast Florida region, and I believe its greatest impact is still ahead.”
The University of North Florida is a public university located in Jacksonville and is part of the State University System of Florida. Founded in 1965, the university offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across fields including business, education, health sciences, engineering, computing, and liberal arts. UNF serves approximately 17,000 students and is known for its campus nature preserve, research initiatives, and NCAA Division I athletics program competing as the Ospreys.
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Funk Associates is an executive search firm specializing in higher education executive recruitment. The firm has recruited chancellors/presidents for two-thirds of all public AAU universities. The firm has also recruited presidents or chancellors to more than one-half of U.S. News & World Report’s recently published “Top 30 National Universities.” Over time, it has conducted more than 425 searches for college and university presidents and chancellors as well as an even greater number of provosts, deans, and various vice presidents.
Nationally Recognized
The firm has been recognized by the Women’s Network of the American Council on Education (ACE) for its work in recruiting women and minorities to senior levels of higher education. Notably, the search firm has broken the color and/or gender line in president searches at more than 40 institutions around the country, making it one of the most highly sought after search firms across the sector.
R. William “Bill” Funk, founder and CEO, is a widely respected search consultant serving higher education. He has been called the “guru of higher education recruiting” by The Chronicle of Higher Education and is listed as one of the 200 best executive recruiters in the world in The Global 200 Executive Recruiters: An Essential Guide to the Best Recruiters in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Latin America (Jossey-Bass, Inc.). Prior to founding his own firm 16 years ago, Mr. Funk was the national practice leader of the education practice and office managing director of the Dallas office for Korn Ferry International for more than a decade.
Willie Funk is president of the firm. He brings to the position both deep experience in executive recruitment and a thoughtful, client-centered approach that reflects the values of Funk Associates. Mr. Funk has been with the firm for a total of 13 years and has served as the firm’s managing vice president for the past five years.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
