A top-ranked, comprehensive public institution located in Jacksonville, Florida, the University of North Florida opened its doors in 1972. Today, UNF is home to 17,653 students across six colleges of distinction, offering innovative programs in high-demand fields. Grounded in a student-centered culture, UNF advances student success through academic excellence, research and innovation, and strong community collaboration.
As the region’s top provider of talent, UNF plays a vital role in Jacksonville and across the state by aligning the University’s strategic priorities with regional and statewide workforce needs. Among Florida’s public universities, UNF ranks at the top with the highest percentage of bachelor’s graduates employed in the state. From collaborating with Fortune 500 companies to helping local nonprofits solve complex challenges, UNF students gain meaningful, real-world experience that prepares them to lead, innovate and soar. This was reinforced in fall 2025 through a university-wide guarantee that all incoming undergraduate students will complete at least one experiential learning opportunity before they graduate.
UNF’s Strategic Plan unites the University community with a focused mission, vision and goals. Two institutional goals are embraced across UNF:
To become a Top 100 Public University as ranked in U.S. News & World Report by 2028
To strategically grow enrollment to 25,000 students by 2028
UNF’s mission, vision, values and priorities embrace the University’s innovative spirit and its commitment to its students and the region.
At the University of North Florida, we ignite a passion for learning and discovery through transformational education in a supportive environment that leads students to rewarding careers and lifelong success. Our beautiful campus is a hub for talent development, relevant research and community engagement, where we enrich lives and fuel the economic and overall prosperity of Northeast Florida and beyond.
The University of North Florida will be the destination of choice for talent and for public and private investment.
Inspire Relevant Research and Impactful InnovationCurrently holding R2 status, UNF is seeking to expand impactful and relevant research, scholarship and creative activity (RSCA) to position the University for R1 (very high research activity) Carnegie status. UNF pulls together faculty, staff, funding agencies, corporate partners and other stakeholders to advance new research and innovation opportunities.
Having recently received its third Carnegie Elective Community Engagement Classification, UNF is deeply connected with the Northeast Florida community. Businesses are on campus almost every week recruiting students and providing incredible hands-on experiences for them. In addition, UNF works closely with local and state government agencies on projects beneficial to students and the region.
UNF recognizes the importance of recruiting and retaining top talent and maintaining a strong campus culture. The University has put numerous programs in place to recognize success, unify the campus and celebrate together.
UNF currently offers 72 bachelor’s degrees with 83 areas of concentration, 44 master’s degrees with 97 areas of concentration, a specialist degree, and eight doctoral degrees with seven areas of concentration.
UNF’s 1,380-acre core campus is just a few miles from the Atlantic coast and includes freshwater lakes, miles of hiking trails and a nature preserve. The osprey, native to Florida, is the University’s mascot and often spotted on campus. Ozzie the Osprey is a regular guest at athletic and community events.
UNF also owns 1,050 acres of pristine salt marsh wetlands located along the Intracoastal Waterway. The wetlands expand hands-on learning and research opportunities for students, particularly those in the coastal sciences.
The campus features a 150,000-square-foot Student Union, a brand new esports arena, lots of recreational spaces, including pools and a lazy river, and a state-of-the-art Wellness Center with a 34-foot climbing wall and indoor track.
Students get involved on campus through student government, more than 200 clubs and organizations, 28 fraternities and sororities, intramurals and club sports, as well as student events like the annual OzFest and Wednesday Market Days in Osprey Plaza.
The University has participated in the NCAA Division I since 2009-10, and its athletic teams are known as the North Florida Ospreys. More than 320 student-athletes compete at UNF.
Nineteen men’s and women’s intercollegiate sports compete in the ASUN Conference including baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, cross country, golf, swimming, tennis, beach and indoor volleyball, and indoor and outdoor track.
Competitive excellence since 2009-10 includes 62 ASUN Conference Team Championships, 143 ASUN Conference Individual Championships and 88 NCAA Championship appearances. The Ospreys have also won the River City Rumble against hometown rival Jacksonville University 12 of the past 14 years.
Academic excellence is also a top priority at UNF; and for 29 straight semesters, Athletics has recorded a department-wide GPA of a 3.0 or higher. The department-wide GPA rose above 3.49 in Spring 2025 and 3.48 in Fall 2025. During the fall 2025 semester, every team recorded an average GPA over 3.0, 188 student-athletes were on the Dean’s List and 51 had a 4.0 GPA.
The University’s total operating budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26 is $435 million, of which $280 million is the Education & General (E&G) budget, $102 million is auxiliary funds and student fees, $13 million is contract and grants, and $40 million is financial aid. Of the projected E&G operating budget, approximately $183 million comes from state general revenue and lottery appropriations. Tuition accounts for $77 million or 18% of the overall operating budget.
The Florida Board of Governors governs the operation and management of the State University System’s 12 public institutions and utilizes a Performance-Based Funding Model, which impacts the amount of funding that institutions receive from the state.
The UNF Foundation is a nonprofit, tax-exempt entity that provides financial support and counsel to the University and enables it to achieve critical elements of its mission. During Fiscal Year 2025, nearly $35 million was raised in private support and the endowment portfolio reached a historic high of $165 million.
Presidential leadership will be critical in fundraising as the University works toward the implementation of a future multi-year capital campaign.The last campaign concluded in 2015 and raised more than $120 million.
Named the second hottest job market in the nation by the Wall Street Journal, Jacksonville provides extraordinary learning and career opportunities for UNF’s students. With nearly 100 industry headquarters in the region including Fortune 500 companies, Jacksonville is a leading city for financial services, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, technology services, transportation and logistics, and corporate operations, and UNF’s Strategic Plan is aligned to support these workforce priorities. Jacksonville ranks in the Top 10 fastest-growing cities in the U.S. and is expected to grow 11 percent by 2030.
Complementing its strong economy, the city features 22 miles of beaches, the nation’s largest urban park system, professional sports anchored by the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, and a vibrant mix of museums and historical sites. UNF’s own Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville, part of Arts UNF, is located in the heart of downtown, providing opportunities to engage the community as well as extraordinary experiential learning opportunities for students. Recognizing this balance of opportunity and livability, ExploreCity ranks Jacksonville No. 1 in the nation for quality of life.
The Board of Governors of the State University System of Florida is comprised of seventeen members, fourteen of whom are appointed by the Florida Governor and confirmed by the Florida Senate for a term of seven years. The remaining members include the chair of the Advisory Council of Faculty Senates, the Commissioner of Education, and the chair of the Florida Student Association. The Board oversees the operation and management of the Florida public university system’s twelve institutions, including the University of North Florida.
The Board of Trustees is responsible for cost-effective policy, implementing and maintaining high-quality education programs consistent with the University’s mission, performance evaluation, and developing processes, meeting state policy, budgeting and education standards.
Six board members are appointed by the Governor and five are appointed by the Board of Governors of the State University System. These appointees must be confirmed by the Florida Senate. The remaining two board members are the president of the Faculty Association and the president of Student Government. Powers and duties of the Board of Trustees are outlined in Florida Board of Governors Regulations.
The president of the University of North Florida serves as the chief executive officer of the University and reports to the UNF Board of Trustees, which is governed by the Florida Board of Governors.
The University’s eighth president will be a visionary leader who works with a coalition of campus, community and state stakeholders to sustain and accelerate the University’s positive momentum. The next president will demonstrate a deep commitment to student success, academic excellence, research and innovation while championing UNF’s mission as a supportive, student-centered university with expanding regional and national impact.
In spring 2026, the UNF Presidential Search Committee engaged faculty, staff, students, alumni, supporters, business partners, and local and state leaders to inform the priorities and qualities most important for the University’s next president.
The University of North Florida seeks a president who brings the full range of qualities necessary to lead a complex, forward-facing public institution. Candidates must demonstrate the following foundational qualifications:
A sophisticated grasp of the forces shaping higher education — including evolving state and federal policy, technological disruption, questions of affordability, and institutional value. The next president must understand both the challenges and the opportunities facing public universities today, and be prepared to lead UNF with clarity and confidence in this environment. The University president should possess the academic credentials needed to secure the respect of faculty, staff, stakeholders, and the community UNF serves.
Executive-level experience leading organizations of meaningful scale and complexity, with accountability for institutional strategy, people, finances, and outcomes. Candidates should bring a record of building effective leadership teams, managing across multiple stakeholders, and delivering results. Experience in higher education, the public sector, or other mission-driven environments is valued, though exceptional candidates from adjacent fields will be considered.
Unimpeachable personal and professional integrity is non-negotiable. UNF’s next president must be a leader whose word is trusted, whose actions are transparent, and whose conduct reflects the values of the institution at all times. This includes the emotional intelligence to build genuine relationships, the humility to listen and learn, the courage to make difficult decisions, and the resilience to lead through adversity with grace.
A genuine and abiding belief in the mission of the University of North Florida — to provide an exceptional education that transforms students and strengthens the communities they serve. The next president must be a passionate advocate for public higher education, for the unique identity UNF has built, and for the students, faculty, and staff who bring that mission to life every day.
Beyond foundational qualifications, stakeholders identified eight areas where strong, experienced leadership will be essential to UNF’s continued success.
The next president must demonstrate a clear command of UNF’s strategic direction and the credibility to sustain momentum already built. Constituents seek a leader who will honor the university’s established priorities while inspiring confidence in what comes next.
Deep familiarity with UNF’s current strategic plan and a demonstrated ability to execute within it
Capacity to articulate a compelling, unifying vision that builds on institutional strengths
Track record of leading complex organizations through sustained, purposeful change
UNF’s identity is inseparable from the city of Jacksonville. The next president must be a visible, energetic civic presence who deepens the university’s roots in the region and expands mutually beneficial partnerships with business, civic, and nonprofit communities.
Demonstrated success building and sustaining university-community partnerships
Genuine enthusiasm for Jacksonville — its culture, economy, and civic life
Ability to position UNF as an indispensable partner in the region’s growth and quality of life
Navigating Florida’s higher education policy landscape requires a president who is politically astute, relationship-oriented, and effective at the Florida Legislature in Tallahassee. The ability to advocate for UNF’s interests — and to protect the institution’s priorities in a complex policy environment — is essential.
Proven experience working with state legislatures, boards, and government stakeholders
Skill in building coalitions and navigating political dynamics without compromising institutional integrity
Understanding of Florida’s public university system and its funding mechanisms
UNF is committed to growing its research profile while maintaining the quality and rigor of its academic programs. The next president must champion faculty scholarship, invest in research infrastructure, and drive continuous improvement in program quality across all disciplines.
Demonstrated commitment to building a research culture, including securing external funding, with an understanding of how to support that endeavor
Record of elevating academic program quality and national recognition
Respect for and collaboration with faculty in advancing the academic mission
At its core, UNF exists to serve its students. The next president must be visibly committed to student success — from enrollment through graduation and career outcomes — and must create conditions for a vibrant, supportive campus experience.
Demonstrated focus on retention, graduation rates, and post-graduation outcomes
Accessibility to students and a genuine investment in their wellbeing and development
UNF’s campus is a distinctive asset, and the university has an active master plan to enhance it. The next president must be a capable steward of the physical campus — able to manage complex capital projects, ensure fiscal discipline, and deliver facilities that support academic and student life goals.
Experience overseeing large-scale capital projects and institutional infrastructure
Commitment to sustainability and long-term physical planning
Fiscal acumen to balance competing priorities within available resources
With a major philanthropic campaign on the horizon, development leadership is a critical priority. The next president must be a compelling fundraiser who can build lasting relationships with donors, inspire giving at all levels, and work closely with the UNF Foundation to achieve transformational campaign goals.
Proven success in major gift fundraising and comprehensive campaign leadership
Ability to cultivate authentic, enduring relationships with donors and alumni
Experience working effectively with a university foundation board
Athletics is an important dimension of institutional identity and campus life at UNF. The next president must be an engaged champion of Osprey Athletics — committed to competitive success, student-athlete wellbeing, and the role athletics plays in building school pride and community connection.
Appreciation for the role of athletics in the broader university experience
Commitment to the academic and personal success of student-athletes
The Board of Trustees invites letters of nomination, applications (letter of interest and complete CV), or expressions of interest to be submitted to Funk Associates, the search firm assisting the University of North Florida.
For more information about the position and search, please visit: https://www.unf.edu/trustees/president-search/
