The University of West Florida has begun its presidential search process to determine who will replace Dr. Martha Saunders. Last week, UWF Board of Trustees chair Rebecca Matthews announced that Funk Associates will conduct the search and Lawson Huck Gonzales PLLC as outside counsel.
- Background: In May, Saunders announced her resignation. Chair Matthews brought forth only one name, Education Commissioner Manny Diaz, to serve as the interim president. Diaz had named Matthews chair of the Florida Education Foundation in 2022. In June, Matthews recommended and won board approval for paying Diaz $643,000, the highest salary ever for a UWF president.
And The Beat Goes On
The Presidential Search Committee members have not been announced, but that hasn’t stopped Matthews from setting up a public forum that will be hosted by the committee chair and Funk Associates. The forum will be the first series to solicit input and guidance on the qualities and characteristics sought in the new President.
Faculty received this email yesterday:
From: Presidential Search <presidentialsearch@uwf.edu>
Date: Wed, Aug 20, 2025, 10:11
Subject: University of West Florida Presidential Search Listening Sessions
To:
Greetings,
The UWF Board of Trustees has initiated the search for the University’s next President and established a Presidential Search Committee to guide the identification and recruitment of highly qualified candidates. Their efforts will be supported by search consultant Funk Associates. Ultimately, the Committee will be responsible for advancing the names of three or more finalists for the Board of Trustees’ review and consideration.
To assist with the recruitment process, the Search Committee would like to develop an in-depth understanding of the University’s needs and expectations. The Search Committee Chair and the search consultant will host a series of open forums and listening sessions with key university stakeholders to solicit input and guidance. This will be an opportunity for various UWF community constituents to share their thoughts and comments on the qualities and characteristics sought in the new President. The information gathered in these sessions will inform the development of the position profile and assist the Search Committee in finalizing the criteria by which candidates will be evaluated.
You are invited to attend a session on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. The meeting will be held in the UWF Usha Kundu MD College of Health (Darrell Gooden Center), Building 234, Room 218. If you are not able to join this session in-person, you may join virtually via Zoom (Webinar ID: 835 5605 3533 | Passcode: 293145).
For those unable to attend a listening session but who would like to share your thoughts, please visit this survey to submit your comments electronically or send your comments to presidentialsearch@uwf.edu.
ADA Statement: Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations is requested to advise UWF by calling Human Resources at 850.474.2694 or 850.857.6158 (TTY) at least two business days prior to the event. For more information or to submit a request, visit the Public Event Accommodations page or email ada@uwf.edu
Respectfully,
Candace Freeman
Presidential Search Committee Staff
Presidential Search
University of West Florida
Public Record Request
This morning, I requested the names of the President Search Committee members and will post them once received. I don’t know how long it will take because Matthews has commanded that all public record requests go through her outside counsel, Lawson Huck Gonzales.
- The person who fulfilled my last request was placed on administrative leave after sending me the information, according to my sources.
UWF General Counsel Susan Woolf was fired for not rolling over and letting Matthews hire the DeSantis-favored law firm that the chair had already scheduled a meeting with.