Three finalists to become president of Florida Atlantic University were announced Wednesday, including a Florida State University dean and the superintendent of the United States Naval Academy.
The finalists, named by a search committee, are Michael Hartline, who has been dean of Florida State University’s College of Business since 2016; Vice Admiral Sean Buck, superintendent of the Naval Academy since 2019; and Jose Sartarelli, who served as chancellor of the University of North Carolina Wilmington from 2015 through last year.
Absent from the list was state Rep. Randy Fine, a Brevard County Republican who drew heavy media attention this year when he was rumored to be a candidate.
A law signed in 2022 by Gov. Ron DeSantis shields information about applicants to become university presidents.
Only identifying information about finalists for the jobs is made public. An FAU news release said applicants included a dozen former or current university presidents or presidents of state university systems, eight executive vice-presidents and five provosts.
“An array of senior leaders with non-academic backgrounds also applied,” the release said.
The finalists are expected to come to FAU’s campuses to participate in public forums before they are formally interviewed by the school’s Board of Trustees.
The final pick would ultimately need approval from the state university system’s Board of Governors.
Stacy Volnick has served as FAU’s interim president since the beginning of the year, after former President John Kelly stepped down.
Volnick previously was chief operating officer and vice president for administrative affairs at the school.
©2023 The News Service of Florida
