The University of West Florida’s board voted 11–1 to name Manny Diaz Jr., a former Republican lawmaker and state education commissioner, as president after a process faculty members described as rushed and flawed. Faculty senators and the Faculty Senate representative publicly objected to the search, calling the single‑finalist process a violation of standard search norms. Trustees approved a base salary that outpaces the predecessor’s pay and could boost total compensation to near $1 million with bonuses. The appointment follows an overhaul of the board by state leaders and highlights a broader trend of politically connected hires at public institutions, raising questions about faculty voice, shared governance and the oversight role of state systems.