Interim President Dr. Michelle Howard-Vital is on medical leave.
FMU
The Board of Trustees of Florida Memorial University (FMU) has announced that a new leadership role will be created. Dr. Castell Vaughn Bryant has been appointed Acting President of FMU, effective Monday, November 20th. The appointment is necessitated by the unfortunate medical leave of Dr. Michelle Howard-Vital, the University’s interim president.
Brings required experience and qualifications
“Florida Memorial University is committed to empowering our students to succeed with exceptional excellence,” said JoLinda L. Herring, Esq., chairman of the board of trustees. “Dr. Bryant brings both the qualifications and experience needed to strengthen this process. Her love for the students, coupled with her extensive knowledge and awareness of our community and the HBCU environment, are but a few of her stellar attributes. We are certain that her leadership will provide the stability and focus required as we continue our search efforts for a permanent president.”
Former Miami-Dade College Campus President
Dr. Castell Bryant is no stranger to the South Florida community or to the leadership role for a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). In South Florida, she has served as the Campus President at Miami-Dade College’s North and Medical Campuses; and was FMU’s Interim Chief Executive Officer. She has also served as Interim President at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU); and as Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs at Bethune Cookman University.
Academic leader
Bryant is an academic leader who embraces a philosophy in her own words to “keep students at the center of the decision-making process.” She has devoted her life to education, and has served in that capacity in the state of Florida for more than 30 years. She began her educational journey at FAMU where she earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. She was awarded the Doctorate degree from Nova Southeastern University. She also attended the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University. Her extensive professional organizations include her role as a Member of the Florida Board of Governors for the State’s University System; Vice President of the National Council of Black American Affairs; Chair of the Governor’s Taskforce-Equity in Educational Opportunity (K-12); and the Florida Council for Assessment College-level Test (ACT), to name a few. She is a champion for the students and is recognized for this effort nationwide.
Historical black institution
Located in the City of Miami Gardens, Florida Memorial University is a private, historically Black institution offering 41 undergraduate degree programs and four master’s programs to a culturally diverse student body. Since its inception in 1879, the University has upheld a commitment to providing a solid foundation for thousands of young people and opening doors to educational opportunities that may have otherwise been closed to them. As South Florida’s only Historically Black College or University (HBCU), it is widely recognized for being the birthplace of the Negro National Anthem, “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” and the home of Barrington Irving, Jr., the first and youngest pilot of African descent to fly solo around the world.
