The University of North Florida (UNF) presidential search committee announced Tuesday that Michael Shannon, current president of the University of North Georgia, is the sole candidate under consideration to become UNF’s eighth president.
Search process and qualifications
The 11‑member committee reviewed 152 applications over a five‑month search. Committee chair Jack Boyle praised Shannon as “a strong leader with an impressive background in higher education and military service.” Since taking the helm at UNG in 2023, Shannon oversaw enrollment growth past 20,000 students and expanded academic and workforce programs across the university’s five campuses.
Upcoming forums and next steps
Shannon will meet UNF faculty, staff and students during on‑campus forums on Sept. 9 and 10. After the forums, the board of trustees will interview him and cast a final vote. The State University System’s Board of Governors must also confirm the selection.
Background of the candidate
Shannon served 20 years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a lieutenant colonel after assignments in the infantry, Signal Corps, counter‑proliferation, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and at West Point. Following his military career he worked in small business and held faculty, research and executive roles at Georgia Tech. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University and a master’s and Ph.D. from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He and his wife, Jessica, have four children.
Interim leadership at UNF
The search follows the departure of former UNF President Moez Limayem, who left in December to become president of the University of South Florida. Jacksonville native Angela Garcia Falconetti has served as UNF’s interim president since February.
Shannon expressed enthusiasm for the role, saying the university and the city are “filled with extraordinary opportunity.” He added, “My wife and I are excited for the opportunity to spend time with the UNF community, to listen and learn, and to better understand its aspirations for the future.”
Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.
