Former University of Alabama President Stuart Bell, 69, was unanimously selected as the sole finalist by the University of Florida’s Presidential Search Advisory Committee on May 18.
If approved by UF’s Board of Trustees and the Florida’s Board of Governors, he will serve as UF’s 14th president — marking an end to the university’s turbulent yearslong search for a permanent leader.
Previous roles
Bell served as UA’s 29th president from 2015 to 2025. During his tenure, he helped the university achieve R1 research status, boosted its national rankings, increased student enrollment, and modernized and expanded campus facilities.
Prior to leading UA, he served as provost and professor of engineering at Louisiana State University and as dean of the School of Engineering and professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Kansas.
He was also president of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) from 2023 to 2025 and on its Executive Committee from 2021 to 2025.
The search committee said in a statement that Bell’s academic background and leadership experience make him the “perfect fit” to lead UF, though some conservative critics believe Bell’s past commitment to DEI programs and initiatives make him too liberal to lead the university.
Academic background
Bell earned his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering and his B.S. in nuclear engineering from Texas A&M University.
Compensation
If confirmed by UF’s trustees and the Board of Governors, Bell could earn up to $3 million annually.
Confirmation timeline
Bell will visit UF on June 3 to meet with students, faculty, staff and administrators and discuss his vision for the future of the university.
His selection still requires approval from the UF Board of Trustees, who are scheduled to interview him on June 10, as well as from the Florida Board of Governors whose next meeting is June 24.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Who is Stuart Bell? Meet the finalist for UF’s 14th president
Reporting by Chelsea Long, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
