The University of West Florida has named its current interim president, Manny Diaz Jr., as the sole finalist to become the institution's seventh president. The decision follows a national search that attracted 84 applicants for the top leadership position.
The university's 15-member Presidential Search Committee announced the selection on Saturday, positioning the former Florida Education Commissioner as the only candidate moving forward for consideration by the UWF Board of Trustees.
Key Takeaways
- Manny Diaz Jr., UWF's interim president, is the only candidate being considered for the permanent role.
- A national search drew a field of 84 applicants for the position.
- If confirmed, Diaz's annual compensation package will be between $800,000 and $1.2 million.
- Diaz previously served as Florida's Education Commissioner and was a state legislator.
The Selection Process
The search for a new president began after Martha Saunders announced her resignation in May, concluding her tenure on July 13. She had served as the university's president since January 2017. Diaz stepped into the interim role on July 14, just as the formal search process was getting underway.
The application period closed on October 31, drawing a diverse pool of candidates from across the country. According to Zack Smith, the chair of the UWF Presidential Search Committee, the committee conducted a series of in-person interviews with semifinalists before making its final recommendation.
"After conducting in-person interviews, it quickly became apparent that interim president Diaz possessed a unique combination of experiences and expertise that best positioned him to serve as UWF’s next president," Smith stated following the announcement.
While the committee confirmed interviews took place, it did not disclose how many of the 84 applicants advanced to the semifinalist stage. The decision to put forward a single finalist underscores the committee's confidence in Diaz's qualifications.
A Profile in Education and Politics
Manny Diaz Jr. brings a distinctive background that merges experience in public education with high-level state politics. Before entering the political arena, he worked in Miami-Dade County Public Schools as a social studies teacher and baseball coach. He later transitioned into administrative roles, serving as an assistant principal and eventually as the chief operating officer at Doral College.
From Classroom to State Capital
Diaz's political career began in 2012 with his election to the Florida House of Representatives, where he served until 2018. He then moved to the Florida Senate, representing a district in Miami-Dade County from 2018 until 2022. During his time in the legislature, he was deeply involved in shaping state education policy.
In 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis recommended Diaz to serve as the Florida Department of Education Commissioner. In this role, he oversaw the state's entire public education system, from K-12 schools to the Florida College System. This position also gave him a seat on the State University System of Florida Board of Governors, providing direct insight into the governance of institutions like UWF.
Zack Smith highlighted this unique combination of roles as a key factor in the committee's decision. "His experiences of working in higher education, shaping education policy in the Florida Legislature, and serving on the State University System of Florida Board of Governors... have uniquely prepared him to be UWF’s next president," Smith explained.
Compensation and Next Steps
The presidential role at UWF comes with a significant compensation package. If his appointment is confirmed, Diaz’s total annual compensation is expected to be between $800,000 and $1.2 million. This represents a potential increase over his current interim salary and the salary of his predecessor.
Presidential Salary Details
- Proposed Salary for Diaz: $800,000 - $1.2 million
- Diaz's Current Interim Salary: $744,000
- Former President Saunders's Salary: $784,000
The selection process is not yet complete. The next phase involves public engagement and formal interviews. The university will host an open public forum with Diaz, allowing students, faculty, staff, and community members to ask questions directly. This will be followed by a final interview with the UWF Board of Trustees.
Both the public forum and the board interview will be open to the public and livestreamed by the campus radio station, WUWF. The university has not yet announced definitive dates for these events.
Ultimately, the UWF Board of Trustees is responsible for selecting the president. However, their choice is subject to confirmation by the Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the entire state university system. Given Diaz's recent role as Education Commissioner and his familiarity with the board, the confirmation process is widely expected to proceed smoothly should the trustees approve his appointment.