Courtesy of FAMU
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida A&M University (FAMU) President Dr. Larry Robinson, Ph.D. today announced that he will step down as president, a position he has held for just under seven years. In a letter to the University’s Board of Trustees Chair, Kristin Harper, Robinson expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead Florida’s only public HBCU, which currently enrolls over 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
The exact date of his departure will be determined in consultation with the Board of Trustees. Robinson is a Distinguished Professor in the FAMU School of the Environment, a position he held prior to accepting the role as the 12 President of Florida A&M University in November of 2017.
It is his intention to return to that position at the conclusion of a year-long sabbatical. Chair Harper, on behalf of the Board, commended Robinson’s leadership and the upward trajectory of the university under his tenure. “Florida A&M University has reached unprecedented heights as a Top 100 University and the No. 1 public HBCU for the fifth consecutive year.
We have achieved remarkable gains and record-breaking years under President Robinson’s leadership. I am honored to have served with fellow trustees alongside our president. His love for FAMU, steady leadership, and unwavering dedication to our student’s success will leave an indelible mark on this university’s history. This commitment is shared by his wife, Sharon Robinson, who, like Dr. Larry Robinson, has been a source of inspiration for countless Rattlers. We are grateful they plan to remain a part of the FAMU community on the Highest of Seven Hills.”
Robinson’s letter to the Board noted his intention to thank many people in the coming weeks, those whose work and commitments have been a source of support and progress for the university during his presidency. He emphasized the critical role FAMU plays in shaping students’ lives and the benefits that the state and taxpayers receive from investments in higher education. Consistent with its operating procedures, the University’s Board of Trustees will meet to determine.