The University of West Florida’s Board of Trustees voted 11–1 to make Manny Diaz Jr., a former Republican lawmaker and Florida education commissioner, the university’s permanent president after he had served as interim since July. Faculty senators and shared governance leaders criticized the search as rushed and lacking full candidate consideration, saying the committee produced only one finalist and that the process violated standard search practices. Trustees cited continuity and the need for decisive leadership after the prior president’s resignation; faculty representatives said the board’s approach undermines confidence and could exacerbate campus tensions. The hire must still be ratified by Florida’s Board of Governors, and faculty leaders are pressing for clearer adherence to institutional search protocols.