Stuart Bell

The University of Florida's presidential search has been delayed due to a power struggle between Board of Governors chair Alan Levine and Trustees chair Mori Hosseini. Multiple presidential candidates, including Ben Sasse, Santa Ono, and Donald Landry, were chosen and rejected amid conflicts over governance and spending, with Stuart Bell ultimately selected as the new president despite delays caused by unresolved disputes between Levine and Hosseini.

Stuart Bell was approved as the University of Florida president on July 1, 2026, ending a two-year interim period. The Florida Board of Governors approved former University of Alabama President Bell, with Governor Aubrey Edge casting the sole vote against him. Bell has committed to not endorsing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, closing DEI offices at Alabama to comply with state legislation.

The Florida Board of Governors postponed a vote on University of Florida's new president, Stuart Bell, due to governance concerns raised by Chair Alan Levine. The dispute centers on power dynamics between Levine and UF trustees Chair Mori Hosseini, with Levine alleging governance procedures at UF fall short of state standards. A third party will review governance practices amid tensions over leadership transitions and reporting structures at the university.

The University of Florida's presidential approval process for Stuart Bell was delayed by Board of Governors Chair Alan Levine due to governance and compliance concerns. UF trustees approved Bell as interim president, prompting Levine to commission a third-party review of governance procedures and schedule a special meeting for July 1. UF Board Chair Mori Hosseini defended the board's actions and criticized Levine's allegations of procedural noncompliance.

University of Florida's board hired Stuart Bell as president despite criticism regarding his previous institution's DEI practices. The larger state panel still needs to approve the appointment.

University of Florida (UF) trustees unanimously supported Stuart Bell, a former University of Alabama president, advancing him toward becoming UF's next president. Bell emphasized his experience in higher education and athletics, addressing topics like diversity, equity, and inclusion, while aligning with Florida’s higher education policies. Critics questioned the search process's transparency, but UF board members defended its legality.

The University of Florida selected Stuart Bell as its new president despite some conservative criticism. Dr. Bell previously served as the president of the University of Alabama for a decade.

Stuart Bell, a finalist for the University of Florida (UF) presidency, pledged to align with conservative higher education policies in Florida, including opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. During forums, Bell emphasized his support for state-aligned reforms and referenced his tenure at the University of Alabama, where he replaced a DEI division with a new department focused on opportunities and connections. UF has been without a permanent president since Ben Sasse resigned in 2024, and a prior candidate, Santa Ono, was rejected by the Board of Governors.

The University of Florida will host three public forums for Stuart Bell, the sole finalist for president, to address pre-screened questions from faculty, students, and staff. Bell's selection has drawn criticism from some conservatives and political figures like U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, who questioned the lack of public input in the process, while Gov. Ron DeSantis and U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon expressed support.