The Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees voted unanimously to select Adam Hasner the university’s eighth president, his start date is to be determined pending confirmation by the State University System’s Board of Governors. As the university’s next president, President Hasner will build on FAU’s legacy and growing national recognition, while working with faculty and staff to chart new strategies for FAU’s future.
“Florida Atlantic University is a shining example of what a modern university can achieve – academic excellence, cutting-edge research, student access and success, all while maintaining a strong connection to the communities it serves,” said Hasner. “I am honored to be chosen to lead this incredible institution and work alongside its talented students, top-tier faculty, and dedicated staff to drive FAU’s mission forward. Together, we will continue to innovate, inspire and make a lasting, positive impact in the lives of our students, our community and the state.
“My primary focus will always be on our students — ensuring that we are providing them with the best possible opportunities for success, both during their time at Florida Atlantic and beyond. I have proudly championed Florida Atlantic for many years, and I am excited to continue advocating for its academic excellence and pioneering research.
“I also want to extend my sincere gratitude to Interim President Stacy Volnick for her leadership over the past two years, as well as for her remarkable service to Florida Atlantic spanning more than three decades. She has provided invaluable stability to the university during challenging times. I look forward to collaborating closely with her to ensure a smooth and successful transition, and to working alongside her and the Florida Atlantic faculty, staff, and supporters to advance the university toward excellence across all six campuses, from Fort Lauderdale to Fort Pierce, in the years ahead. Florida Atlantic is my hometown university.
“During my time in the Florida Legislature, I made its priorities my own, and I take great pride in having maintained a strong connection with the university for over the past 20 years. Jillian and I are thrilled for the opportunity to serve the entire Florida Atlantic community in the years to come.”
Hasner served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2002 to 2010, including two terms as House Majority Leader, where he championed initiatives in health care, education and economic development. His legislative accomplishments include working with former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush to establish Florida’s life sciences industry with significant funding for biomedical research, while leading the efforts to secure funding to establish FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine.
Hasner also championed FAU’s ocean energy initiative, sponsoring key legislation in 2006 and 2008 that laid the foundation for creating the Office of the Ocean Economy at FAU. He also played a pivotal role in securing $43 million for FAU’s current College of Engineering building, the first state-funded higher education facility to achieve LEED Platinum certification.
Beyond his career, Hasner is active in community service, serving on the board of trustees for Boca Raton Regional Hospital; on the dean’s advisory board for FAU’s College of Business; the board of directors at People’s Trust Insurance Company; and on the board of advisors for Gogig Jobs, Inc.
A native of Palm Beach County, Hasner is a product of the local public school system and the son of two educators. He earned a juris doctor from Florida State University and a bachelor’s degree in government and politics from the University of Maryland. He resides in Boca Raton with his wife, Jillian, who is the chief executive officer of the nonprofit organization Take Stock in Children.
“I would like to thank the entire search committee, and especially chair Sherry Murphy, for running an organized, transparent and efficient search process,” said Piero Bussani, chair of FAU’s Board of Trustees. “They worked tirelessly to consider numerous highly qualified candidates, bringing us an excellent group of finalists to interview. I am proud of all the work they have done, and I am confident Adam Hasner will make an excellent president. I look forward to working with him to continue FAU’s amazing trajectory.”
In recent years, FAU has climbed the rankings while earning national recognition for its commitment to academic excellence, groundbreaking research, and fostering a dynamic campus environment.
As the university’s chief executive officer, Hasner will oversee an institution that currently serves more than 30,000 students with more than 170 degree programs across six campuses spanning from Broward County north to St. Lucie County. One of the largest employers in South Florida, FAU has nearly 3,500 employees with an annual operating budget of more than $1.2 billion. The university’s funded research is valued at more than $75 million in critically important fields such as neuroscience, drug discovery, biotechnology, ocean engineering and marine science. FAU also sports 21 Division I athletic programs, with its men’s basketball team making it to the Final Four in 2023.
The presidential search committee worked with the executive firm Buffkin Baker.
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SOURCE: Florida Atlantic University FAU | FAU Board of Trustees Select Adam Hasner to be Eighth President
