Florida A&M University’s Vice President of Government Relations Jamal Sowell is resigning from his post, just as the university’s leadership team transitions to newly confirmed President Marva Johnson.
“The opportunity to serve at Florida A&M University was not a professional option I ever anticipated, but I am profoundly grateful that you chose to include me on your team for this monumental moment of transition,” Sowell wrote in his July 15 letter to interim FAMU President Timothy Beard, obtained by the Tallahassee Democrat on July 22.
In his letter, Sowell said he would be leaving on Aug. 8, but later postponed his departure until Sept. 1, according to a FAMU spokesperson.
Sowell, a former state secretary of commerce under Gov. Ron DeSantis, started at the university in October 2024.
“I would like to thank Jamal Sowell, J.D., for his dedicated service to Florida A&M University. I’ve accepted his resignation with thanks for his assistance with our presidential transition through Sept. 1st,” Beard wrote in a statement to the Tallahassee Democrat.
“During his tenure as vice president of Government Relations on my senior leadership team, Jamal brought new energy and focus to FAMU’s legislative priorities by hosting lawmakers and legislators on campus, enhancing the Rattler Caucus to include elected officials based near our satellite campuses, and training students and alumni to effectively advocate at FAMU Day at the Capitol,” he added.
“He championed the collective efforts of our stakeholders into a year-round engagement strategy that will continue to yield fruit thanks to the seeds of guidance he has sown. I know that Jamal’s service to FAMU has made his family of FAMU alums proud, and I look forward to watching him succeed in his next endeavor.”
Sowell leaves ahead of Marva Johnson’s start as president
Johnson’s tenure begins Aug. 1. It is likely she will bring in new members in some positions as she forms her own leadership team. Sowell’s letter does not mention the change in administration and indicates he is returning to employment in the private sector.
A roughly $115 billion state budget was signed by DeSantis June 30 for the fiscal year that began July 1. It includes $65.5 million in money for FAMU, which is nearly a $40 million increase from the previous fiscal year, records show.
Sowell, and his government relations team, have been credited with the successful legislative session results. “I am grateful to the executive office of the governor, lawmakers who sponsored our efforts, and stakeholders who championed the cause for FAMU among the state’s elected officials,” Sowell wrote.
“Under the continued guidance under the board of trustees, your transitional leadership, and the vision of President-elect Marva Johnson, J.D., I am convinced that the future of FAMU is bright.”
Sowell has long had strong ties to Florida A&M
The Orlando native is not a FAMU alumnus, but he has strong ties to the university.
He’s been a monthly donor to the university for over a decade and established a FAMU scholarship in his parents’ names to financially support students from rural communities. His parents, James and Lutricia Sowell, met at FAMU and graduated in 1968.
His wife Karen is also a FAMU graduate – Class of 2007 – and was an educator at James S. Rickards High School for over a decade, earning the title of “Teacher of the Year.”
Before starting at FAMU, Sowell was appointed by DeSantis to be Florida Secretary of Commerce and was CEO of Enterprise Florida. He currently serves in the U.S. Navy Reserve.
He graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in religion and later received a master’s degree in higher education administration from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and a law degree from Indiana University, Bloomington.
Sowell is a member of the Florida Council of 100 and previously served as division president of Indelible Solutions, a national management consulting firm. The Jacksonville-based firm was co-founded by FAMU Board of Trustees member Michael White, who is currently its chief business development officer.
Alaijah Brown covers children & families for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached at ABrown1@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter/X: @AlaijahBrown3.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU government relations VP Jamal Sowell leaves amid presidential transition
Reporting by Alaijah Brown, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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