Florida’s Board of Governors approved Stuart Bell as the University of Florida’s permanent president, ending nearly two years of leadership turbulence at the state’s flagship. Bell had been selected as the sole finalist in May and installed as interim president in June after former President Ben Sasse stepped down. The approval vote followed a period of political scrutiny, including questions tied to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, free speech, and critical race theory. Bell told the board that his priorities include filling key leadership vacancies across UF, including the provost and several dean roles. UF’s board of trustees highlighted Bell’s record at the University of Alabama, citing 13% enrollment growth over a decade, increases in degrees granted and research spending, and additional fundraising momentum. The decision also resolves an earlier governance dispute at the state level, when Board of Governors Chair Alan Levine delayed Bell’s confirmation over asserted compliance issues. UF’s board said those concerns were disputed, while supporters framed the appointment as a return to consistent executive leadership.