• Florida International University’s Presidential Search Committee recommended interim President Dr. Kenneth A. Jessell to serve as the university’s next leader 
• Prior to his role as interim, Jessell served as FIU’s Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration
• According to the university, just one candidate is being recommended to the Board of Trustees due to other candidates’ refusal to continue their candidacy, unless they were the committee’s lone choice

The Florida International University (FIU) Presidential Search Committee this week submitted a recommendation of Dr. Kenneth A. Jessell to serve as the 6th president of FIU.

Jessell has served as FIU’s interim President for the prior eight months. Prior to his appointment as interim, Jessell served as the university’s top financial officer and Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration.

“After considering more than 70 individuals and a thorough and vigorous review process that included in-person interviews of a dozen promising and highly-qualified individuals, the search committee is confident it has arrived at the best person to lead our university.”

According to the university, just one candidate is being recommended to the Board of Trustees due to other candidates’ refusal to continue their candidacy, unless they were the committee’s lone choice.

“Dr. Jessell has proven over the past 13 years — and, in particular, over the past eight months, he has served as our interim president —that he is capable, committed, and has the vision to lead FIU in its trajectory of success,” said Roger Tovar, Chair of the university’s Presidential Search Committee. “Dr. Jessell has been a key part of the leadership team that has brought FIU to this point and he’s the right leader to keep us moving forward as a leading research institution.”

Jessell was appointed interim President earlier this year after former university leader Mark Rosenberg resigned citing health difficulties before ultimately admitting he was under investigation for allegations of harassment towards a young employee.

The university stated that it will be hosting a number of public open forums with the members of the university community across the coming 21 days. The forums intend to give stakeholders an opportunity to interact directly and ask questions of Jessell.

Following this period, the Board of Trustees can meet to consider the Search Committee’s recommendation alongside community feedback. Upon this meeting, members of the Search Committee can vote to officially appoint Jessell as university President.