For the first time in its 53-year history, Florida International University (FIU) has appointed an alumna as its president. Jeanette M. Nuñez, who earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from FIU, was officially recognized at an investiture ceremony attended by nearly 1,000 people.
Nuñez began serving as interim president in February and was formally confirmed as FIU’s seventh president in June after approval by the Board of Governors of the State University System. She is also the first woman to hold this position at FIU.
Ray Rodrigues, chancellor of the State University System of Florida, addressed Nuñez during the ceremony: “I tell you this morning that your president’s service to this institution began long before she was ever employed by you, going all the way back to the vision and foresight she had as a representative and then later as a lieutenant governor.”
Rodrigues expressed confidence in Nuñez’s leadership during times of rapid change. “We live in a time of rapid technological, social and global change,” he said. “I am confident that under your stewardship, FIU will rise to these challenges and continue to advance its mission of academic excellence, innovation and opportunity for all students.” He highlighted FIU’s status as a designated preeminent university within Florida’s public system and noted its top-50 ranking among national public universities according to U.S. News & World Report.
Governor Ron DeSantis sent video remarks praising Nuñez’s achievements since assuming office eight months ago: “She has hit the ground running,” he said. “She’s been doing an outstanding job.” He cited new partnerships between Nicklaus Children’s Hospital and FIU’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine aimed at health care innovation.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also provided recorded comments recognizing both FIU’s accomplishments and Nuñez’s leadership: “As a top 50 public research school, FIU remains at the forefront of our community’s, of Miami’s and our nation’s future, and I have no doubt that Jeanette Nuñez, as your president, has the tenacity and the experience to lead this prestigious institution into the future,” Rubio said.
Nuñez thanked her family—two children are alumni with a third considering enrollment—and acknowledged former presidents Modesto A. Maidique, Mark B. Rosenberg, and Kenneth A. Jessell during her address. Reflecting on her journey from student to president over three decades at FIU, she emphasized the university’s role in education and economic development: “I have often asked, ‘What would Miami look like without FIU as its anchor?’ I can assure you that the very soul of Miami would not be the same. Here, we do more than educate. FIU changes lives, launches careers, lifts families, propels the economy and ensures prosperity for all Floridians.”
She announced plans for SOAR (Supporting Outstanding Academic Results), an initiative designed to boost faculty research and interdisciplinary collaboration with a goal for FIU to reach Top 30 public university status by 2030.
“I love this university. I love its ambition. I love its drive,” she concluded. “So let’s hunt, Panthers. FIU is on a collision course with greatness.”
