Skip to Content

Trustee Appointments & Development

Each State University System institution has a 13-member Board of Trustees, of which five citizen members are appointed by the Board of Governors in accordance with the Board’s Trustee Selection and Appointment Process. The Nomination and Governance Committee of the Board vets the applicants and considers professional and business experience, prior public service, diversity, personal integrity, and the ability of the applicant to devote sufficient time and attention necessary to fulfill the fiduciary responsibilities incumbent upon trustees as public officers of a state university.

Appointed members must be confirmed by the Florida Senate and are required to attend an orientation session held by the Board of Governors. Trustee orientation serves to educate new trustees about the governance roles and responsibilities of the Board of Governors and boards of trustees; the goals established in the Board’s 2025 Strategic Plan for the State University System; the accountability measures implemented by the Board, including performance-based funding; the mechanics of university funding; and an overview of Florida’s Sunshine and ethics laws and the State University System’s audit and compliance functions.

In addition, the Board of Governors provides opportunities for trustees across the State University System to come together collectively to share best practices for higher education governance and to discuss challenges and opportunities facing our state universities. Each November, the Board hosts a Trustee Summit featuring national thought leaders and experts in the State University System to address an array of topics relevant to effective board leadership and elevating our institutions’ ability to accomplish their tripartite mission of teaching, research and service.

University Boards of Trustees