As Florida A&M University begins a new semester, it faces significant upheaval following President Larry Robinson’s departure on Aug. 4. After just one week on the job, interim FAMU President Timothy Beard requested letters of resignation from the entire senior leadership team. At least four members of that team, including Communications Director Keith Miles and Athletic Director Tiffani-Dawn Sykes, lost their jobs on Aug. 13.
Robinson, who had served as president for nearly seven years, stepped down amid heightened scrutiny over a failed $237 million donation, which was announced at the Spring 2024 commencement and quickly unraveled. Opinions remain divided over whether Robinson’s resignation was voluntary or driven by mounting pressures, leaving many to wonder: Was the failed donation the final catalyst for his departure, or were there deeper issues at play?
Although the question remains unanswered for now, among several other issues, previous concerns about Florida A&M’s low licensure passage rates in professional programs such as nursing, law, pharmacy and physical therapy, suggest that Robinson’s decision may not have been as sudden as it first appeared. Alan Levine, vice chair of the Board of Governors who historically has supported FAMU, told Robinson in no uncertain terms at a meeting in July that FAMU was in danger of losing the law school if immediate improvements aren’t made.
Florida A&M is not alone in grappling with this issue. Other Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) such as Howard University and Texas Southern University are also struggling with low passage rates in their professional programs, particularly in law and healthcare fields. However, at FAMU, these challenges appear to have placed additional strain on Robinson’s administration, as the university’s performance became a focal point of judgment from the Florida Board of Governors.
The situation may be more complex than it first appeared. FAMU’s 2024 Accountability Plan, which was reviewed by the BOG
, reveals troubling statistics that suggest Robinson’s exit was not entirely unexpected. In professional programs critical to the university’s reputation, licensure passage rates have been alarmingly low. For instance, in 2023, only 41% of FAMU College of Law students passed the bar exam on their first attempt, falling well short of the 80% goal set by the university. This statistic alone represents a significant challenge to FAMU’s standing, but the broader implications of underperformance across multiple programs were enough to draw the attention of the Board of Governors.
As recently as last month, Levine, the BOG’s vice chair, made it clear that if immediate improvements were not made in these critical programs, he was prepared to recommend their elimination altogether. This looming threat, coupled with the high-profile failed donation, created an environment that left Robinson with few options.
It should be noted that FAMU enjoyed impressive success on Robinson’s watch. The university has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report the top public HBCU for the past five years, and last year it leap-frogged over Morehouse, Hampton and Fisk to be ranked No. 3 among all HBCUs, trailing only Spelman and Howard.
Robinson took over when Rick Scott was governor and primarily focused on his U.S. Senate campaign. Now, Governor Ron DeSantis has become highly involved in the administration of Florida’s public universities. His “hands-on” approach could create significant challenges for the FAMU Board of Trustees as they work to find a permanent president.
Robinson’s departure comes at a time when the university needs stable leadership. With the academic year just a week away, FAMU finds itself without a president, its administration is in disarray and the institution is facing continued pressure over its academic performance and financial dealings. As students and faculty prepare for the new semester, the pressing question remains: Who will step up to lead FAMU through this turbulent period, and can the university regain its footing before it’s too late?