A well-regarded civic leader who has helped propel Orlando鈥檚 trajectory as the fastest major metro area in the United States, Martins has spent 30 of his nearly 40 years in professional sports management as part of the Orlando Magic organization. For his many years of dedicated service and leadership, Martins became the 14th person inducted to the NBA franchise鈥檚 Hall of Fame.

The 麻豆原创聽grad, who earned his聽master鈥檚 in business administration聽in 2001,聽joins聽the likes of聽fellow Hall of Famers聽Shaquille O鈥橬eil, Anfernee 鈥淧enny鈥� Hardaway and Dwight Howard.

鈥淗is decades of work with the Orlando Magic and his continued investment in our university reflect the character and commitment that define 麻豆原创.鈥� 鈥� 麻豆原创 President Alexander N. Cartwright

鈥淐hair Martins聽leads with humility,聽generosity听补苍诲 a deep sense of responsibility to this community,鈥� says聽麻豆原创 President Alexander N. Cartwright. 鈥淗is decades of work with聽the Orlando Magic and his continued investment in our university聽reflect the character and聽commitment聽that聽define聽麻豆原创. As chair of our Board of Trustees, I see every day how deeply he believes in this institution and the聽opportunities聽we聽create for聽Central Florida. His induction into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame is a well-deserved recognition of a remarkable career听补苍诲聽all of us at聽麻豆原创聽are聽proud to celebrate this moment with him.鈥�

Man of the Hour

Martins聽was聽inducted on Monday, March聽23,聽at聽Kia Center, near the Orlando Magic Fan Experience.

鈥淲e are excited to welcome Alex Martins into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame,鈥澛爏ays聽Orlando Magic聽chairman聽Dan聽DeVos. 鈥淗is innovative business acumen has transformed our organization, while working tirelessly to make the Magic an invested community partner. For his efforts that spanned three decades, this is truly a worthy recognition for Alex and his family, and we look forward to continuing to work with him in his role as vice chair.鈥�

Ties that Bind

Martins聽was named聽聽in 2021 and聽also聽serves on the dean鈥檚 executive council for the聽. Martins served on the developmental board of the globally acclaimed 聽at 麻豆原创, which is funded through a $9 million endowment by Rich and Helen DeVos and awards dual master鈥檚 degrees in聽sport management听补苍诲 business administration. Under Martins鈥� leadership, the Magic contributed $1.5 million to the construction of聽麻豆原创 Downtown聽in 2015, the first major private donation for the campus.

He聽is a member of the College of Business鈥� Hall of Fame and recipient of the university鈥檚 Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Magic Career

Martins聽serves as vice chair of聽the Orlando聽Magic. In this position, he acts as a senior advisor to the Magic Board of Directors to advance long-term strategic initiatives and serve as a resource to Magic executives.

Martins also represents the Magic as the team鈥檚 alternate governor to the NBA Board of聽Governors, and聽oversees all operations of the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL and the Osceola Magic of the NBA G League.

Martins served as the Orlando Magic鈥檚聽CEO聽for 14 seasons (2011-25). He has held various senior-level management capacities with the Magic between 1989-98 and upon his return to the organization in 2005, including director of media relations, executive vice president of marketing and franchise relations,聽president听补苍诲 chief operating officer.

During his tenure as CEO, the聽Sports Business Journal聽named the Magic as one of the 鈥淏est Places to Work in Sports,鈥� the only franchise in the four major professional sports leagues to receive the recognition聽in 2024.

His effort and collaboration with local business and political leaders聽helped to聽secure the Kia Center as a sports and entertainment home, which opened in October 2010. The Kia Center was named the聽Sports Business Journal鈥檚 Sports Facility of the Year in 2012.

Martins has also held senior executive positions with the New Orleans Hornets, the NFL鈥檚 Cleveland Browns and Tavistock Group. He started his career as a student assistant in the聽Villanova sports information department,聽assisted聽in the Philadelphia 76ers public relations department and was also the assistant sports information director at Georgetown University.

New Members

Alan Florez 鈥�98

Trustee Florez is chief sales officer at Foundation Risk Partners. Previously, Florez served as Gov. Jeb Bush鈥檚 deputy director of legislative affairs and as his special assistant. Florez volunteers his time with the Florida Council of 100, Futures Foundation of Volusia County Schools, and the Community Foundation of Flagler and Volusia. He earned 产补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚 degrees in political science and legal studies from 麻豆原创. Florez has previously served on the 麻豆原创 Foundation Board of Directors January 2016 through July 2021 and on the 麻豆原创 Board of Trustees January 2006-16.

His current 麻豆原创 Board of Trustees appointment is active through Jan. 6, 2031.

Jeff Vahle

Trustee Vahle is president of Walt Disney World Resort, America鈥檚 largest single-site workplace, which has about 80,000 cast members at four theme parks, more than 25 resort hotels and more. Vahle serves as聽a member of the Rollins College Board of Trustees and the Florida Council of 100.聽He previously served as a member of the Give Kids the World Board of Directors. Vahle earned his 产补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚 degree in mechanical engineering from Auburn University and his master鈥檚 degree in business administration from Rollins College.

Vahle鈥檚 appointment to the 麻豆原创 Board of Trustees is active through Jan. 6, 2030.

Reappointed Members

Jeff Condello

Trustee Condello is chief executive officer and president at RANDALL, a subcontracting service company that serves Florida and the southeast. Active in his community, he is a member of the Project Opioid Board of Directors and The Faine House Board of Directors. Condello is the 2019 recipient of the Chief Executive of the Year Award from the Orlando Business Journal.

Condello鈥檚 reappointment to the 麻豆原创 Board of Trustees is active through Jan. 6, 2031.

Mark Filburn

Trustee Filburn is president of Whitestone Construction Group LLC. Filburn is a member of the American, Florida and Orange County bar associations. He has served as a board member for the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority, MetroPlan Orlando and the Board of Visitors for Lake Highland Preparatory School. Filburn earned a聽产补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚聽degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and a juris doctor degree from Wake Forest University.

Filburn鈥檚 reappointment to the 麻豆原创 Board of Trustees is active through Jan. 6, 2031.

Alex Martins 鈥�01MBA

Chair Martins is the vice chair of the Orlando Magic and previously served as the organization鈥檚 chief executive officer. Active in his community, he currently serves as chair of the Orlando Economic Partnership鈥檚 Governors Council and is a managing partner of the Osceola Magic, Orlando鈥檚 affiliate in the NBA G League. Martins earned his 产补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚 degree in business from Villanova University and his master鈥檚 degree in business administration from 麻豆原创.

Martins鈥� reappointment as chair of the 麻豆原创 Board of Trustees is active through June 2027.

John Miklos

Trustee Miklos is president and senior project manager of Bio-Tech Consulting. He previously served as vice president and senior project manager at Modica and Associates and president of Aquatic Management and Consulting. Miklos previously served on the St. Johns River Water Management District and the Environmental Regulation Commission. He earned his 产补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚 degree in limnology from 麻豆原创.

Miklos鈥� reappointment to the 麻豆原创 Board of Trustees is active through Jan. 6, 2031.

About the 麻豆原创 Board of Trustees

Under the Florida Constitution, each state university is administered by a board of trustees consisting of 13 members.

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the administration of 麻豆原创 in a manner that is dedicated to and consistent with the university鈥檚 mission and with the mission and purposes of the State University System. This responsibility includes cost-effective policy decisions; the implementation and maintenance of high-quality education programs; and oversight of university performance, financial management and accountability, personnel, the reporting of information and compliance with laws, rules, regulations, and requirements.

Learn more about the board and read full biographies for each trustee at鈥�.

麻豆原创鈥檚 new trustees are John Evans Jr., Mark Filburn, Anthony 鈥淭ony鈥� Massey and Thomas McNamara 鈥�88.

Joseph Conte, Caryl McAlpin 鈥�77 and Michael Okaty 鈥�96 鈥�97 recently concluded their terms on the Board of Trustees after nearly 20 years of combined service. Their dedication and leadership on the Board of Trustees have been instrumental in helping 麻豆原创 achieve excellence and positively impact lives on campus and in the community.

Meet the New Trustees

John Evans Jr.

John Evans Jr. is a lifelong Central Floridian. His father was a longtime history professor at Florida Technological University, which later became 麻豆原创. Evans is the co-founder of Promising People, a Casselberry-based ed-tech company dedicated to reducing recidivism by half through virtual reality training for the trades. He鈥檚 also a partner at Manhattan鈥檚 Parkway Venture Capital.

Evans began his career as a special assistant to former United States Senator Connie Mack. He鈥檚 been a longtime contributor to the Orlando Sentinel and the Forbes Coaches Council. He attended Lakemont Elementary, the University of Florida, the University of Miami and Pepperdine University.

A father of four, Evans resides in Winter Park and New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Evans regularly attends St. Maragret Mary Church in Winter Park, Florida.

Mark Filburn

Mark Filburn is president of Whitestone Construction Group LLC. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1990 in addition to admittance to the Supreme Court of the State of Florida, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, the United States Court of International Trade, the United States Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit, the United States Court of Federal Claims and the Supreme Court of the United States of America.

Filburn is a member of the American, Florida and Orange County bar associations. He has served as a board member for the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority, MetroPlan Orlando and the Board of Visitors for Lake Highland Preparatory School. He is also a member of the Board of Visitors for the Wake Forest University School of Law.

Filburn earned a bachelor of arts degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and a juris doctor degree from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Anthony Massey

Anthony 鈥淭ony鈥� Massey is president and CEO of Massey Services, a pest management company. A second-generation leader of Massey Services, he joined the company after earning a corporate finance and investment management degree from the University of Alabama in 1989. Rising through management roles, he became president in 2006 and CEO in 2021.

Massey actively supports Central Florida organizations, serving on the Florida Council of 100, the Executive Leadership Team for the Alzheimer鈥檚 Association of Central Florida and the Committee of 100. He鈥檚 a member of the Governor鈥檚 Council for the Orlando Economic Partnership and serves on Truist Bank鈥檚 Central Florida Board of Directors and the Professional Pest Management Alliance Board of Directors. He is also a past chairman of Florida Citrus Sports, the Orlando Museum of Art’s executive committee and the Heart of Florida United Way鈥檚 2014-15 campaign.

A graduate of Harvard University鈥檚 OPM Executive Program and Rollins College鈥檚 Key Executive master鈥檚 program, Massey supports education and community initiatives through advisory roles at Seminole State College, Rollins College, the University of Alabama and as a member of the 麻豆原创 Board of Trustees.

Thomas McNamara 鈥�88

Thomas McNamara 鈥�88, a third-generation contractor and grandson of Irish immigrants, has built a legacy in construction and fishing industries.

In 1994, he founded Southern Development & Construction Inc., now one of Central Florida鈥檚 largest heavy civil contractors with over 2,000 projects statewide. As CEO of Foundation Outdoors Group Inc., he leads the global fishing industry leader with operations in Florida, Sweden and China, holding more than 23 patents and 17 industry awards.

Beyond his business ventures, McNamara is deeply committed to philanthropy. Through his companies and the McNamara Family Foundation, he supports initiatives like Habitat for Humanity and the Coastal Conservation Association. He also serves on the 麻豆原创 Athletics Association Board of Directors and participates in professional organizations like the Association of Building Contractors and the Florida Engineering Society.

A 麻豆原创 electrical engineering graduate, McNamara and his wife, Stacey McNamara 鈥�90, are dedicated alumni and recipients of the 2022 麻豆原创 Distinguished Alumni Award. The McNamara family’s philanthropic contributions to 麻豆原创 include significant donations to the John Euliano Baseball Park (麻豆原创鈥檚 baseball stadium), the Wayne Densch Leadership Center and the Garvy Nutrition Center, culminating in a substantial $1 million gift for McNamara Cove, a cutting-edge recovery water facility for student-athletes.

About the Board of Trustees

Under the Florida Constitution, each state university is administered by a board of trustees consisting of 13 members.

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the administration of 麻豆原创 in a manner that is dedicated to and consistent with the university鈥檚 mission and with the mission and purposes of the State University System. This responsibility includes cost-effective policy decisions; the implementation and maintenance of high-quality education programs; and oversight of university performance, financial management and accountability, personnel, the reporting of information and compliance with laws, rules, regulations, and requirements.

Learn more about the board and read full biographies for each trustee at鈥�.

Harold Mills, an Orlando entrepreneur who also has held executive positions in several companies, was unanimously chosen to continue serving as vice chair for two years. He was elected as the board鈥檚 vice chair in February.

Martins oversees all operations of the Orlando Magic and has spent more than three decades in professional sports management. A well-regarded civic leader, he earned his MBA from 麻豆原创, where he is a member of the College of Business鈥� Hall of Fame and recipient of the university鈥檚 Distinguished Alumnus Award.

He serves on the dean鈥檚 executive council for the 麻豆原创 College of Business. Martins served on the developmental board of the at 麻豆原创, which is funded through a $9 million endowment by Rich and Helen DeVos and awards dual master鈥檚 degrees in sport management and business administration. Under Martins鈥� leadership, the Magic contributed $1.5 million to the construction of 麻豆原创 Downtown in 2015, the first major private donation for the campus.

鈥淚 want to thank the board for their confidence and for the honor of serving as your chair for the next two years,鈥� Martins says. 鈥淚 look forward to working alongside you and working closely with President Cartwright and our faculty, staff and students to continue to help us become one of the great universities in this country.鈥�

Martins has previously chaired a number of community organizations, including the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission and The Central Florida Partnership. Martins serves or has served on the boards of the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Central Florida Commission on Homeless and the Governor鈥檚 Council of the Orlando Economic Partnership.

Mills is the CEO of VMD Ventures, which invests in entrepreneurs in technology and service industries. He joined the 麻豆原创 Board of Trustees in 2019 and is the chair of the board鈥檚 Finance and Facilities Committee.

He previously served as chairman and CEO of ZeroChaos, a global workforce management company that he built into a multi-billion-dollar company with operations in over 53 countries.

Mills serves on the boards of Guidewell and Florida Blue, Rollins College, Nemours Children鈥檚 Hospital, the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center and LIFT Orlando, among others. He is a past board member for Florida Council of 100, Florida A&M University, and the Jacksonville Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and the former chairman of Florida Citrus Sports.

Mills earned a 产补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚 degree from Purdue University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

鈥淚鈥檓 excited to continue the great work of this university,鈥� Mills said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e grateful to have President Cartwright and the rest of his team lead us on this journey celebrating the enormous achievements of this institution and pursuing its grand aspirations. It鈥檚 rewarding and fulfilling work.鈥�

Martins and Mills thanked current board Chair Beverly Seay for her service. Seay will remain a Board of Trustees member, focusing the remainder of her term on the board on academic excellence, student success and strengthening 麻豆原创鈥檚 partnerships with the simulation and defense industries.

President Alexander N. Cartwright praised Seay for her leadership and for helping to convince him to come to 鈥渢his amazing place.鈥�

Addressing Martins and Mills, Cartwright said, 鈥淵ou have both been incredibly active as trustees, engaged and helpful. You鈥檝e asked all the right questions, and you continue to push for what we are looking for, which is to become an exceptional institution. I look forward to working with you to make that happen as quickly as possible.鈥�

The 13-member Board of Trustees consists of six members appointed by the governor and five appointed by the Board of Governors. The chair of the university鈥檚 Faculty Senate and the president of 麻豆原创 Student Government also are members.

New trustees Tiffany A. Altizer 鈥�90MS, Bill Christy 鈥�86 and Jeff Condello will participate in their first regular Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday.

鈥淭rustees Altizer, Christy and Condello are outstanding business leaders who serve our community so well,鈥� said Board of Trustees Chair Beverly Seay. 鈥淥ur entire board looks forward to continuing to work closely with President Cartwright to achieve our goal of becoming one of the nation鈥檚 and world鈥檚 leading metropolitan research universities.鈥�

The new trustees replaced Alex Martins 鈥�01惭叠础, David Walsh and William Yeargin, who reached the end of their terms earlier this year after nearly 20 years of combined service. Walsh and Yeargin were honored at Thursday’s meeting.

Martins rejoined the Board of Trustees in March after he was appointed by DeSantis. He replaced Trustee Ken Bradley, who had served on the board since 2016.

Under the Florida Constitution, each state university is administered by a board of trustees consisting of 13 members.

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the administration of 麻豆原创 in a manner that is dedicated to and consistent with the university鈥檚 mission and with the mission and purposes of the State University System. This responsibility includes cost-effective policy decisions, the implementation and maintenance of high-quality education programs, and oversight of university performance, financial management and accountability, personnel, the reporting of information and compliance with laws, rules, regulations and requirements.

Learn more about the board at .

Meet the new trustees

Tiffany A. Altizer 鈥�90MS, of Orlando, is a certified public accountant and managing shareholder of Keith Altizer and Company, P.A. She began her career in public accounting in 1991 with the international accounting firm of Ernst & Young LLP and joined Keith Altizer and Company in 1997.

Altizer serves as a trustee for the Southern Federal Tax Institute and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants. In addition, she serves on the boards of directors for the Orange County Sheriff Foundation and the Seminole County Sheriff Foundation. She has also been active in other community organizations such as the Junior League of Greater Orlando, Maitland Presbyterian Church Foundation and Florida Citrus Sports.

The 麻豆原创 alumna earned a Master of Science in taxation after receiving a B.S.B.A. (emphasis in accounting) from Auburn University.

Bill Christy 鈥�86, of Daytona Beach, is CEO of Cognitive Kinetics, a spinal implants and orthopedic joints distributorship. He is also CEO of Challenge North America, an organization led by athletes to help enhance race experiences for athletes and their families. He has extensive experience leading medical instrument and clinical start-ups and also played a key role in the design and market launch of more than 20 medical devices and is the holder of more than 25 issued and published patents.

Previously, he was CEO of both AOI Medical and SpineMatrix, and he has been involved with the Halifax Health Foundation and New Era Orthopedics.

He earned his 产补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚 degree in business administration from 麻豆原创 in 1986 and his MBA from the Rollins College Crummer School of Business in 1997.

Jeff Condello, of Windermere, is president and CEO of Randall, a company he started with his wife, Debra, in 1986. Based in Apopka, the commercial and industrial contractor now employs roughly 1,400 people and has worked on some of the largest and most influential projects in Central Florida; including the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts; Terminal C at Orlando International Airport; SunRail stations; and buildings at Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Amazon.

He is an active member of the Central Florida community, volunteering his time with Project Opioid, Faine House, Florida Hospital and the Children鈥檚 Home Society. And, recently, he launched the Randall Academy in partnership with Orange County Public Schools and the City of Apopka. The pilot program enables high school students to gain experience in manufacturing, construction, accounting and human resources at Randall.

In addition, he was named the聽Orlando Business Journal鈥檚聽2019 CEO of the Year and is a 麻豆原创 Legacy Circle Member, which recognizes loyal donors to the athletics program.

The selections 鈥� chosen from 60 business categories 鈥� were based on their contacts in regional business circles, 鈥渃ulminating in a highly selective biographical guide to the people who really run Florida.鈥�

Four people named to the list are on the 麻豆原创 Board of Trustees: Chair Beverly Seay and members Alex Martins 鈥�01MBA, Harold Mills and William Yeargin.

• Seay, a longtime leader in Central Florida鈥檚 modeling and simulation industry, has served on the board since 2013. She is a member of the National Center for Simulation Hall of Fame and also served as chair of the Dean鈥檚 Industry Advisory Board for the College of Engineering and Computer Science.
• Martins, vice chair of the board, is CEO of the Orlando Magic. He is also a member of the College of Business Hall of Fame, serves on the Dean鈥檚 Executive Council, and is a recipient of the university鈥檚 Distinguished Alumnus Award. He earned his degree in business administration.
• Mills is CEO of VMD Ventures, which focuses on enabling aspiring entrepreneurs who create technologies and tech-enabled services that create new market spaces.
• Yeargin is CEO of Correct Craft, which manufactures fishing, utility and recreational boats and operates watersports parks.

Names of others with 麻豆原创 roles:

• Thad Seymour Jr., former interim president of the university, who retired earlier this year. He previously oversaw development of the 麻豆原创 Downtown campus and was a senior vice president of Tavistock Development, where he led strategy and development for Lake Nona Medical City.
• Clint Bullock 鈥�95, is a board member of the 麻豆原创 Foundation and general manager and CEO of the Orlando Utilities Commission. He earned his degree in marketing.
• Brian Butler is a board member of the 麻豆原创 Foundation and president and CEO of Vistra Communications in Tampa.

Other 麻豆原创 alumni at organizations in Orlando and around the state:

• George Cheros 鈥�78 鈥�80MBA, president and CEO of National Center for Simulation, earned his degrees in accounting and business administration
• Steve Hogan 鈥�01, CEO of Florida Citrus Sports, earned his degree in journalism and played football at 麻豆原创.
• Inez Long 鈥�98惭叠础, president and CEO of Black Business Investment Fund Florida, earned her degree in business administration.
• Karen Moore 鈥�79, founder and CEO of Moore Inc., Tallahassee, earned her degree in history and played volleyball and tennis at 麻豆原创.
• Terry Shaw 鈥�90MBA, CEO of AdventHealth, Altamonte Springs, earned his degree in business administration.
• John Sowinski 鈥�86, founding partner of Consensus Communications, earned his degree in public administration and was president of Student Government.
• Rasesh Thakkar 鈥�84, senior managing director of Tavistock Group, earned his degree in accounting.
• Richard J. Walsh 鈥�77 鈥�83MS, CEO of Knob Hill Group, who previously served as chair of the 麻豆原创 Board of Trustees, earned his degrees in political science and public policy and was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2014.

Ava Parker, a former member of the 麻豆原创 Board of Trustees, is now president of Palm Beach State College, West Palm Beach.

Self, 麻豆原创鈥檚 associate director of Undergraduate Affairs and past chair of the 麻豆原创 Faculty Senate, will assume his new additional leadership roles Aug. 4. He has been vice chair of the ACFS the past two years.

The main purpose of the advisory council is to work toward higher quality educational opportunities at the state鈥檚 four-year colleges and universities, and provide input from a faculty perspective. Self says the council typically meets three times a year, but recently has been meeting more than once a month to address issues and concerns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘One goal for the ACFS that I have is to ensure that each of the SUS institutions has a strong faculty constitution by which they can enable good shared governance.’

鈥淥ne goal for the ACFS that I have is to ensure that each of the SUS institutions has a strong faculty constitution by which they can enable good shared governance,鈥� Self says, adding that not every Senate or similar body at each campus has the same level of governance. 鈥淚 am hoping we can as a group facilitate the needed conversations at each SUS to bring the entire system to a stronger shared-governance level.鈥�

As a sitting member of the Board of Governors, Self says he鈥檚 looking forward to sharing the perspective and experience he has had as a faculty member and former 麻豆原创 trustee.

鈥淚 take the fiduciary duty of the role very seriously and hope to contribute significantly to the board鈥檚 work during my tenure,鈥� he says.

Self received his Bachelor of Science in microbiology from the University of Florida in 1993, followed by his doctorate in 1998. At the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, he studied anaerobic microbiology and biochemistry to prepare for independent research.

He came to 麻豆原创 in 2003 as an assistant professor, where he has done extensive research and has also been involved in service to 麻豆原创, including serving eight years on Senate joint committees and councils and seven years as a faculty senator. Self served as chair of the Undergraduate Council for two years and three years as the Faculty Senate chair. He served as a Provost Faculty Fellow five years ago.

He has been awarded seven patents since 2009 with four more pending.

鈥淚 was very proud to serve as the previous chair of the 麻豆原创 Faculty Senate and as a member of the Board of Trustees for three years, through some of our more turbulent times as a university,鈥� Self says. 鈥淚 am excited to see what 麻豆原创 will become in the next 10 years and am excited to be a part of that maturation as an institution.鈥�

A plan to refund housing costs was unanimously approved on Thursday by the university鈥檚 Board of Trustees in light of the unprecedented need to ask students not to return to campus to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Refunds will go to students with leases in the Apollo, Libra, Lake Claire, Nike, Hercules and Neptune communities, as well as Towers and Rosen housing. The refunds will include students鈥� housing costs from March 27 through April 28, the end of the spring semester.

The university also is in discussions with the owners of NorthView and UnionWest 鈥� which are managed by 麻豆原创 but privately owned. Details are still being worked out, but both are supportive of offering partial refunds for the spring term.

In addition, 麻豆原创 continues to advocate on behalf of our students who reside in privately owned student apartments off campus. Ultimately, any decisions about refunds will be up to these individual off-campus properties and management companies.

Students still living on campus as of March 27 will not receive refunds.

Refunds will be processed beginning next week.

If housing costs were paid with a credit card, the refund will go back on the credit card. If not, refunds will be posted in eligible students鈥� accounts and will be shown in my麻豆原创. Most students have their student account linked to a bank through direct deposit. Students who do not have direct deposit are encouraged to sign up by logging in to my麻豆原创, clicking Student Accounts, and clicking Direct Deposit.

Students who haven鈥檛 set up direct deposit before refunds are posted will have checks sent to their mailing address on file with 麻豆原创. Students are encouraged to verify the address on file is correct, and to update it if it鈥檚 not. Verify or update your mailing address by logging in to my麻豆原创, clicking Student Accounts, clicking Student Center, and reviewing the Personal Information section.

Any unpaid charges owed to the university will be deducted from students鈥� refunds.

The Search Committee will review applications received to date from presidential candidates and expects to begin selecting candidates who will move forward in the process.

Candidate interviews will be conducted in person during a meeting of the Search Committee, scheduled to start at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, March 5, also in the Key West Ballroom of the Student Union.

After the Search Committee interviews and recommends candidates to the Board of Trustees, finalists will return to campus after spring break for open forums and campus visits. The campus community will have the opportunity to provide feedback on each of the finalists.

We will communicate dates and times for open forums, even before they are attached to specific candidates, to help you plan to attend or watch them online. Candidates’ open forums will be available online for 24 hours after they occur. This week’s Search Committee meetings will be live streamed, but only available to watch online in real time.

After the on-campus visits, the 麻豆原创 Board of Trustees will vote on the selection of the president. Then, the Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the state’s public universities, will vote on whether to confirm the selected candidate.

We will update you following the Search Committee meeting Tuesday.

For more information about the search, visit the Presidential Search website.

You can provide your feedback via a short A is also available.

On Wednesday, Jan. 15, 麻豆原创 will hold three additional open forums where you can share your opinions. They will be held at the following times and locations:

• 12:30 p.m. on the main campus, in the Student Union Key West Ballroom, room 218
• 2:30 p.m. at 麻豆原创 Downtown, in the Dr. Phillips Academic Commons, West Building, room 106A
• 4:30 p.m. at the 麻豆原创 Rosen College of Hospitality Management’s Disney Dining Room

Representatives from Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates, the firm chosen to aid in the search, and from the Presidential Search Committee will host the open forums.

The Presidential Search Committee will hold its next meeting at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at the 麻豆原创 FAIRWINDS Alumni Center. The meeting will be live streamed on .

Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates also is accepting nominations of candidates for the presidency. As you think about whom you could nominate, you can review a list of desired qualities approved by the Board of Trustees on the last page of this document.

All nominations should be submitted to Alberto Pimentel, managing partner, at apsearch@storbeckpimentel.com.

The next president is expected to be chosen this spring and start this summer. For more information about the search, visit ucf.edu/presidential-search.