UNF Search Committee Names Michael Shannon as Sole Public Finalist
The committee advanced Shannon over a 152‑applicant pool and cited candidate reluctance to be publicly named, a move that reflects a broader Florida pattern and now proceeds to trustee review and state confirmation.
Overview
- The University of North Florida search committee has put forward University of North Georgia President Michael Shannon as the only publicly named finalist for UNF’s presidency, saying other finalists declined public announcement.
- Shannon’s advancement is subject to a vote by the UNF Board of Trustees and final confirmation by the State University System’s Board of Governors.
- The committee reviewed 152 applications and says it reached multiple semifinalists before only Shannon agreed to be publicly identified, a rationale the committee cited under the Board of Governors’ 'exceptional circumstances' allowance.
- Shannon has led UNG since 2023, served 20 years in the U.S. Army, holds advanced engineering degrees, and presided over enrollment and program growth at UNG that the committee cites as evidence of fit for UNF.
- The single‑finalist outcome echoes recent Florida searches and follows a 2022 law letting applicant names stay private until late in searches, a change critics say reduces transparency while supporters say it protects candidates’ current jobs.