³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ

Listening Sessions

Dates: April 9, 2026 and April 10, 2026
Time: TBD

• Details are forthcoming.

Second Presidential Search Committee Meeting

Date: April 21, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Location: University Center, Room 1027
Zoom: 

•  Agenda is forthcoming.

Board of Trustees Meeting

Date: April 22, 2026
Location: ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ Arena, Texana Bank Suite

•  Agenda is forthcoming.

Charge to the ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ Presidential Search Committee

On behalf of the ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ Board of Trustees, I thank the leaders who have agreed to serve on the ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ Presidential Search Committee. The Board greatly values the committee members’ service in this critical role.

³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ has experienced extraordinary positive momentum in recent years, and few decisions are more consequential to the University than the selection of its next President to continue advancing the ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ mission to educate students, conduct impactful research, and support the needs of the Northeast Florida community.

The committee’s work that will be chaired by Jack Boyle will be guided by the , and  It is essential that the search be conducted with integrity and in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Executive search firm Funk Associates will assist with the search process.

Ultimately, the committee is charged with presenting the Board of Trustees with a strong slate of unranked, highly qualified candidates, from which the Board will select the next ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ President, subject to confirmation by the Florida Board of Governors.

Steve Moore

Chair of the ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ Board of Trustees

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2026

³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ will host public listening session for presidential search  

Jacksonville, Fla. – The ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ Presidential Search Committee invites members of the Northeast Florida community to participate in an upcoming listening session as part of the search for the eighth president.  

The listening session is an opportunity for all stakeholders to share their perspectives on the qualities and characteristics they think are important for the next president. Input gathered during the session will help the committee as it develops the presidential position profile and determines which criteria will be used to evaluate candidates.  

In addition to listening sessions scheduled for students, faculty and staff, the University is inviting the community to join the following hybrid listening session: 

Friday, April 10 
2 to 2:30 p.m. 
Osprey Commons, Talon Room, Fourth Floor 
 

Those unable to attend can provide input through krisha.creal@funkassociates.com. Search firm Funk Associates is assisting the committee with the listening sessions. 

Once it evaluates applicants, the 11-member Presidential Search Committee will present the Board a strong slate of unranked, highly qualified candidates for President of ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ, guided by the , and  

The Board of Trustees will then select the next ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ President, subject to approval by the Florida Board of Governors. 

Updates about the search are posted on the ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ Presidential Search website.  

 ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ 

The ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ is a nationally ranked university located on a beautiful 1,381-acre campus in Jacksonville surrounded by nature. Serving more than 17,600 students, ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ features six colleges of distinction with innovative programs in high-demand fields. ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ students receive individualized attention from faculty and gain valuable real-world experience engaging with community partners. A top public university, ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ prepares students to make a difference in Florida and around the globe. Learn more at . 

August 25, 2026

Following a comprehensive search over the last five months, the ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ Presidential Search Committee forwards to the ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ Board of Trustees Dr. Michael P. Shannon, current president of the University of North Georgia, for consideration as ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ’s eighth president.   

The 11-member Search Committee includes members of the campus, community, Board of Trustees and Board of Governors and was chaired by ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ Board of Trustees member Jack Boyle. The search generated significant interest, resulting in 152 applicants, a clear reflection of ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ’s momentum and growing national reputation.  

The Search Committee reviewed candidates in accordance with , and .

Dr. Shannon has served as president of the University of North Georgia, a public institution with more than 20,000 students, since 2023. As a first-generation college graduate, Dr. Shannon earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a master's degree and Ph.D. from Georgia Institute of Technology. He served 20 years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a lieutenant colonel after assignments in the Infantry, Signal Corps, counterproliferation, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and West Point. Following his military career, Dr. Shannon worked in small business and at Georgia Tech as a faculty member, researcher and executive. He and his wife, Jessica, have four children.  

“Dr. Shannon is a strong leader with an impressive background in higher education and military service," Boyle said. "He is passionate about student success, community engagement and the future of ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ."  

Since becoming UNG president in 2023, Dr. Shannon has led a period of significant growth and institutional transformation. UNG surpassed 20,000 students for the first time in its history, strengthened student retention, expanded academic and workforce programs across its five campuses, and advanced major investments in STEM, health sciences, leadership development and military education. His leadership has emphasized student success, institutional relevance and strong partnerships with government, industry and the communities UNG serves.  

“³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ, Jacksonville and Northeast Florida are filled with extraordinary opportunity, and I am honored to be advanced for consideration as ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ’s next president. Jessica and I are excited for the opportunity to spend time with the ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ community, to listen and learn, and to better understand its aspirations for the future," he said. "There is tremendous momentum here, and I am inspired by what ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ can become and the impact it can continue to make for its students and this region. I am grateful to Chairman Boyle and the Search Committee for their confidence, and I look forward to the conversations ahead.”  

Dr. Shannon will participate in on-campus forums with faculty, staff, students and other stakeholders on September 9 and 10th. The following week, Dr. Shannon will be interviewed by the Board of Trustees, who will then vote on his candidacy. The Board of Governors must confirm a presidential selection.  

Details about public forums and other updates will be posted on the ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ Presidential Search Committee website.

September 16, 2026

The ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ Board of Trustees has selected Dr. Michael P. Shannon as the University’s eighth president, subject to confirmation by the Florida Board of Governors. 

Shannon has served as president of the University of North Georgia, a public institution with more than 20,000 students, since 2023. A first-generation college graduate, Shannon earned a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering and a master's degree in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He also earned a master's degree in health physics and a Ph.D. in nuclear and radiological engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.  

“Mike Shannon is the leader who can build on ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ’s strong momentum and continue to elevate the University’s incredible impact across our region and beyond,” said Steve Moore, Board of Trustees chair. “He brings a deep commitment to student success, a collaborative leadership style and a proven ability to drive institutional growth.” 

Shannon served 20 years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a lieutenant colonel after assignments in the Infantry, Signal Corps, counterproliferation, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and West Point. Following his military career, Shannon worked in small business and at Georgia Tech as a faculty member, researcher and executive. He and his wife, Jessica, have four children.   

“I am humbled and honored to be selected as president-elect by the ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ Board of Trustees, and I look forward to the continued process before the Florida Board of Governors,” said Shannon. “³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ is on the verge of becoming one of the great American university success stories of this era. This university has already changed countless lives and strengthened the Northeast Florida region, and I believe its greatest impact is still ahead. Jessica and I are excited to become part of ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ and the Jacksonville community, including its exceptional students, alumni, industry partners and supporters. 

At UNG, Shannon has led a period of significant growth and institutional transformation. During his tenure, the university reached historic enrollment, strengthened student retention, expanded academic and workforce programs across its five campuses and advanced major investments in STEM, health sciences, leadership development and military education. Shannon's leadership emphasized student success, institutional relevance and strong partnerships with government, industry and the communities UNG serves.   

Following applicable state laws and BOG regulations, the 11-member ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ Presidential Search Committee conducted a five-month national search that attracted 152 applicants and included listening sessions to gather input from key stakeholders and shape the leadership profile for the University's next president. In August, the committee that was appointed by Moore and chaired by Trustee Jack Boyle forwarded Shannon to the Board of Trustees for consideration as ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ's next president. Moore and the other trustees thanked the search committee for its thoughtful and comprehensive search. 

Shannon visited ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ's campus Sept. 9 and 10, participating in forums and gatherings with students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, business leaders and other community stakeholders. Feedback from those meetings was provided to the BOT. During Wednesday's meeting, trustees interviewed Shannon before deliberating. His contract will be considered during a BOT meeting on Sept. 23. 

For the second consecutive year, ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ reached historic enrollment this fall with about 18,900 students. Also, the University welcomed its largest freshmen class of 3,762 students across full-time and part-time programs and its largest graduate student enrollment with 2,831 students.  

In TIME's inaugural America's Best Colleges 2026-27, ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ ranked No. 58 among the nation's top public colleges and universities. The ranking acknowledges ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ for delivering exceptional value, student success and a high return on investment. 

For more information, visit the ³ÉÈËAVÊÓƵ Presidential Search Committee website.