Jessell Gets Nod as FIU President

• By Jim Saunders
• October 17, 2022

TALLAHASSEE — Saying he is beginning a “new chapter,” Kenneth Jessell on Monday was named president of Florida International University after serving as the school’s interim leader since January.

The FIU Board of Trustees unanimously approved Jessell’s selection, which remains subject to confirmation by the state university system’s Board of Governors during a meeting next month. The Board of Governors typically signs off on universities’ presidential selections.

Before becoming interim president, Jessell was FIU’s senior vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer for 13 years.

“At FIU, we have a unique opportunity to continue being a leader in solving the most complex problems of our day, all while giving committed and hard-working students in our community the chance to succeed,” Jessell said in a written message to the “FIU family” after the selection. “As your president, I promise to lead FIU with humility, honesty and integrity, always keeping an open mind and listening to you.”

Jessell was the only finalist put forward by a search committee, which interviewed 12 applicants. The university said Monday that nine of the 12 were current, past or interim presidents.

“In Dr. Jessell, we have found the best possible leader for FIU at this moment in its history,” FIU trustees Chairman Dean Colson said in a prepared statement. “His passion, vision and knowledge of the institution are unmatched. We are fortunate to have him.”

Under a new state law, the names of other applicants have not been released and meetings of the search committee were closed to the public. The search committee recommended Jessell in September. At that time, the university released an update that said Jessell was the only candidate being recommended to the Board of Trustees “due to an unwillingness by other individuals to continue their candidacy, unless they were the sole recommendation of the committee.”

Jessell became interim president after the abrupt resignation of longtime President Mark Rosenberg, who initially cited personal health issues and the deteriorating health of his wife but later acknowledged that his exit came after he caused “discomfort for a valued colleague.”

“Today, as I begin this new chapter, I am grateful to every member of our FIU family for your tireless work and passion for FIU,” Jessell said in the message Monday. “On a personal note, I thank you for your support and guidance, especially throughout my months of service as interim president.”

Jessell is poised to become FIU president as the University of Florida, Florida Atlantic University and Florida Gulf Coast University are in various stages of hiring or searching for new leaders.

A search committee at the University of Florida this month announced Nebraska U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse as its only finalist to replace outgoing President Kent Fuchs. University of Florida trustees are expected to interview Sasse on Nov. 1.

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