TALLAHASSEE – After stepping in as interim president after Mark Rosenberg’s abrupt resignation, Kenneth Jessell seems likely to be named president of Florida International University.
Roger Tovar, a member of the college’s Board of Trustees and chairman of its presidential search committee, stated in an replace launched Wednesday that Jessell is the one presidential candidate who will be beneficial to the trustees.
Jessell was the college’s chief monetary officer and senior vice president for finance and administration earlier than being appointed interim president in January.
“I have observed and worked with Dr. Jessell for years in his role as CFO and have had many opportunities to experience his work ethic, strategic thought process, and unwavering integrity,” Tovar stated within the written replace. “He is brilliant and kind and has steered us through an important transition at a pivotal moment for FIU.”
Tovar stated Jessell initially indicated he didn’t need to be thought-about for the presidency.
The search committee thought-about greater than 70 candidates, the replace stated.
“We recruited him because many of us thought he was ideal for the position and several members of the community reached out to the search firm to nominate Dr. Jessell,” Tovar wrote.
“We are thankful he ultimately decided to answer the call to become a candidate.”
The replace additionally stated Jessell was the one candidate being beneficial 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.”
Under new state regulation, the names of different candidates haven’t been launched and conferences of the search committee have been closed to the general public.
Rosenberg, who had served as president since 2009, abruptly resigned in January. Initially, he cited private well being points and the deteriorating well being of his spouse however later acknowledged that his exit got here after he prompted “discomfort for a valued colleague.”
“Regrettably, these issues spilled over to my work and I caused discomfort for a valued colleague,” Rosenberg stated in an announcement on the time. “I unintentionally created emotional (not physical) entanglement. I apologize to you. I take full responsibility and regret my actions.”
Jessell had served as chief monetary officer and senior vice president since 2009, after working 26 years at Florida Atlantic University, in accordance to information on the FIU web site.
He has bachelor’s and grasp’s levels and a doctorate from Florida State University.
Tovar stated within the replace that FIU will maintain a collection of open boards with Jessell over the subsequent three weeks.
After that, the Board of Trustees will be in a position to think about the search committee’s advice.
The Jessell advice got here as Florida Atlantic University, the University of Florida and Florida Gulf Coast University are also within the strategy of searching for new presidents.
Florida Atlantic trustees this week named Stacy Volnick to change into interim president in January after President John Kelly leaves the submit on the finish of 2022.
Volnick is the college’s chief working officer.
