UNF names Angela Garcia Falconetti as interim president

Angela Garcia Falconetti has been named interim president of the University of North Florida by the UNF Board of Trustees.

Falconetti, a double UNF alumna and Jacksonville native, has served as the president of Polk State College since 2017.

Falconetti will serve as interim president effective Feb. 16 as the UNF Board of Trustees launches a national search to replace outgoing President Moez Limayem, who has been named president of the University of South Florida. Continued service as interim is subject to confirmation by the Florida Board of Governors.

"The University of North Florida is on an upward trajectory, and Angela Garcia Falconetti will continue building on that momentum during the transition process," said BOT Chair Steve Moore. "As a UNF graduate who grew up in Jacksonville, Angela knows the University, has strong ties to business and civic leaders and will ensure continued focus on ensuring student success, investing in research and innovation, accelerating the success of faculty and staff and expanding and strengthening community partnerships."

In recent years, UNF has achieved historic gains in enrollment and retention, along with the University's highest performance-based funding score. It continues to climb in national rankings, launch innovative programs across campus, invest in research that benefits the community and sparks innovation across industries, and move forward with ambitious construction projects, with help from the state legislature, local government and donors.

"It is truly an honor to return home to the University of North Florida to serve as Interim President," Falconetti said. "As a proud double alumna of this remarkable institution, UNF has shaped my life in profound ways that tie me directly to our mission. I am grateful to the Board of Trustees and look forward to the work ahead alongside our students, faculty and staff."

Falconetti said she will not be applying for the permanent position of president.

Falconetti earned her bachelor's degree in Communications and Education from New York University. She later earned a master's degree and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from UNF with Instructional Leadership, Postsecondary Education, and Adult Learning specializations.

Falconetti also worked at UNF in a variety of roles, rising in the Office of Student Affairs from an academic advisor/recruiter to assistant vice president of student affairs.

She went on to serve as Special Assistant to the first deputy assistant secretary for Community Colleges in Washington, D.C. and worked at other higher education institutions, including Virginia Western Community College and Daytona State College.

She has served as an adjunct faculty at several universities, including Florida Atlantic University, Daytona State College and Florida State College at Jacksonville. She is a Certified Fundraising Executive, has published more than 25 scholarly papers and book chapters and has served as editor for two higher education journals.

Under Falconetti's leadership at Polk State College, the college has expanded partnerships with local businesses, added academic and workforce programs to better prepare graduates with in-demand industry skills and secured funding for campus enhancements, including construction of the college's eighth location, Polk State Haines City-Davenport Campus.