Funk Associates at Closing Stages of President Search for Florida International University
May 28, 2025 – Funk Associates is currently at the end stages of recruiting the seventh president for Florida International University (FIU). “Over the past several weeks, the presidential search committee has identified and interviewed candidates interested in becoming FIU’s seventh president,” Carlos A. Duart, chair, FIU presidential search committee; vice chair, FIU board of trustees, wrote in a letter to members of the university community. “We are now ready to move into the public and final phase of the process. After a thorough review and interview process, the presidential search committee selected three finalists for recommendation to the FIU board of trustees. The three finalists included a sitting president and sitting provost at other institutions, as well as FIU’s interim president Jeanette M. Nuñez.”
“Two of the finalists indicated that they would only move to the public phase of the search process if selected as the lone candidate,” Mr. Duart said. “As a result, these two finalists withdrew their candidacy. Given her proven record of leadership and unique qualifications, the committee unanimously agreed to move interim president Nuñez forward as its sole finalist for consideration by the FIU board of trustees.”
“Since her appointment in February, interim president Nuñez has worked tirelessly with great enthusiasm and passion and a firm commitment to our students and the overall success of FIU,” said Mr. Duart. “Guided by FIU’s strategic plan, Experience Impact 2030, she has engaged meaningfully with our students, faculty, staff, and community, focusing on improving the student experience, ensuring research excellence, and establishing and strengthening strategic alliances.”
Before joining FIU, Ms. Nuñez spent 15 years serving the State of Florida – both as a state representative and as lieutenant governor. Before serving in government, she was vice president of governmental affairs at Jackson Health Systems and held similar leadership positions at Kendall Regional and Aventura Hospital Medical Center.
“It is a great honor to serve as chair of the presidential search committee, which has brought together an outstanding group of individuals whose commitment to FIU is unparalleled,” said Mr. Duart. “I am grateful to each committee member for their diligence and dedication to this process. I also want to thank Funk Associates, our search consultant, for assisting us in this process. To our FIU community members, thank you for your contributions and feedback. I encourage you to remain engaged as we enter this final phase of the search process.”
Founded in 1965, Florida International is an urban, multi-campus, public research university serving its students and the diverse population of South Florida. The university has campuses in Miami and North Miami. FIU is committed to high-quality teaching, state-of-the-art research and creative activity, and collaborative engagement with its local and global communities.
The university serves a diverse student body of more than 58,000 and 270,000 alumni. U.S. News and World Report has placed dozens of FIU programs among the best in the nation, including international business at No. 2. Washington Monthly Magazine ranked FIU among the top 20 public universities contributing to the public good.
Related: Funk Associates Tapped by the University of St. Thomas to Lead President Search
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. The firm’s sports division, headed by Willie Funk and Scott Thompson, specializes in searches for athletic directors and coaches.
Recruiting Women and Minorities
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 in one of the most highly sought after search firms across the sector.
Funk Associates Assists Florida International University with President Search
Funk Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Kenneth A. Jessell as the sixth president of Florida International University (FIU). “In Dr. Jessell we have found the best possible leader for FIU at this moment in its history,” said Dean C. Colson, chair of the university’s board of trustees. “His passion, vision, and knowledge of the institution are unmatched. We are fortunate to have him.” The selection of Dr. Jessell, who has served as FIU’s interim president since January, is pending confirmation by the Florida board of governors.
R. William “Bill” Funk, founder and president, 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.
Related: Funk Associates Recruits Dean for the University of South Alabama College of Engineering
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
