Broward College President Greg Haile has abruptly resigned, and plans are underway today to appoint an “acting president” in his place, the latest in a string of shake-ups at Florida colleges and universities.
The college’s website lists an emergency meeting for 11:30 a.m. today at the Willis Holcombe Downtown Center in Fort Lauderdale, to address a motion to appoint an acting president.
“I can confirm that President Haile has resigned,” spokeswoman Joslyn Cassano said Thursday morning. “I don’t have any further information for you at the moment, but we will have an update following the 11:30 a.m. Board meeting.”
Haile, an attorney who was hired as president in 2018, could not be immediately reached for comment Thursday morning, nor could Alexis Yarbrough, chairwoman of the Board of Trustees. His contract was set to expire next summer.
Yarbrough sent a message to the students, faculty and staff after 11 p.m. Wednesday alerting them Haile had resigned.
” Like you, I am surprised by his decision but support him as he pursues other opportunities,” she wrote. ” I wish him much success and thank him for all he has done for our Seahawk family. ”
She added that “transitions can be times of uncertainty or worry about unforeseen changes. Know that we are in this together,” she wrote.
“Today, I personally spoke with our leadership team to begin the process of succession,” she wrote. “Each and every individual expressed knowledge of how we will maintain our continuity of operations and a willingness to do that which is necessary to ensure our students receive the excellent service they deserve. I am confident that our organization is strong, and we will endure through this period of transition.”
She said the selection of our next president will be “open and transparent.”
Members of the Board of Trustees for Broward College and other community colleges are appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has called for dramatic changes in higher education to eliminate what he describes as “wokeness.”
These efforts include eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion programs, restricting tenure and attempting to change who accredits colleges and universities.
Several colleges are now being headed by DeSantis allies, including New College of Florida in Sarasota, whose interim leader is Richard Corcoran, former House speaker and DeSantis’ former appointee as state education commissioner, and South Florida State College in Avon Park, now led by former state Rep. Fred Hawkins.
The presidential search for Florida Atlantic University was suspended by a state governing board, and many critics say they believe that’s because a search committee failed to include state Rep. Randy Fine, of Palm Bay, DeSantis’ pick for the job, as one of the three finalists.
Haile was chosen in 2018 from a field of more than 50 applicants by a Board of Trustees appointed by then-Gov. Rick Scott. He replaced longtime President David Armstrong, who had retired.
The board cited Haile’s knowledge of the community, successful work with the college and passion for education.
Haile, of Miami Shores, had been Broward College’s general counsel and vice president for public policy and government affairs for the previous seven years.
In thanking the board in 2018, Haile said: “I know the passion that each of you has for Broward College, and with that in mind, it means everything to me to know that you decided that I could be the person to help lead this institution and to continue the great things that have been done. I will dedicate my life to making sure that you know and it is clear to everyone that you made the right decision.”
A first-generation college graduate, Haile earned his undergraduate degree from Arizona State University and his law degree from Columbia University School of Law.
He has taught at Harvard, Columbia University School of Law in New York, Miami Dade College and Broward College.
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