Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Key Moments
Tracie Davis — Asked for clarification about the line fund and whether the $30 million was a transfer.
Tracie Davis — Her bill is referenced as containing part of the funding-related provision.
Danny Burgess — Called during roll call as Senator Burgess.
Danny Burgess — Called during the roll vote on CS for SB 1694.
Danny Burgess — Mentioned indirectly through the state representative role? No direct reference in the text; not included as a substantive mention.
Danny Burgess — Called during the roll call vote on the block confirmation motion.
Alexis Calatayud — Called during roll call as Senator Colladiod, likely Senator Calatayud.
Alexis Calatayud — Called during the roll vote on CS for SB 1694.
Alexis Calatayud — Called during the roll call vote on the block confirmation motion.
Thomas J. "Tom" Leek — Called during roll call as Senator Leak, likely Senator Leek.
Thomas J. "Tom" Leek — Called during the roll vote on CS for SB 1694.
Thomas J. "Tom" Leek — Referenced as part of the committee discussion in the surrounding exchange; no direct speech in this section.
Thomas J. "Tom" Leek — Coach Meyer was referenced as the person Jack Harrell was following in the presentation order.
Thomas J. "Tom" Leek — During the roll call vote on Tab 2, Senate Bill 1694, Senator Tom Leek was called and then requested to be recorded in the affirmative on the measure.
Zaire Samadhi — Listed on an appearance card as waving in support.
Lewis Pella Chion / Feliceon — Name appears garbled on the appearance card; likely a witness or supporter intending to speak.
Louis Feliciano — Testified in support of SB 1694 on behalf of C Alliance, emphasizing AI literacy and evaluation.
Stanislavka Stroman — Testified with concerns about AI and support for educational resources on its risks.
Kellynne Niles — Testified in support of the bill on behalf of the Alliance, emphasizing critical thinking and ethical use of AI.
Nia Bobbin — Testified in support of the bill while noting concerns about reliance on AI and the need for ethical consideration.
Jennifer Hopkins — Testified in support of CSSB 1694 on behalf of Sea Alliance, emphasizing responsible AI use.
Tavon Brown — Listed as waving in support.
Cassandra Toussaint — Waved in support of the bill.
Mikhail Sunu — Waved in support of the bill.
Gavin Reynolds — Gavin Reynolds was present and waved in support of the bill.
Kyle Sunu — Waved in support of the bill.
Sarah Padra — Waved in support of the bill.
Hawthorne Hallstead — Waved in support of the bill.
Turner Lozell — Waved in support of the bill.
Dr. Lasonia Moore — Waved in support of the bill.
Jonathan Reese — Jonathan Reese was identified as a trustee appointee to the Board of Trustees of Tallahassee State College, and it was noted that he could not attend in person because of a family situation involving a young child in the hospital, so a written statement was requested instead.
Jonathan Rees — Jonathan Rees’s written statement is read into the record, outlining his vision for Florida higher education. He emphasizes that the state’s institutions should prioritize access, affordability, excellence, accountability, innovation, alignment with labor market needs, and long-term sustainability.
Sarah Bayliss — Sarah Bayliss was introduced as a new appointee to the Tallahassee State College Board of Trustees, sworn in, and then delivered her confirmation remarks. She described her background in education, including work at Nelnet and as a college counselor at St. John Paul II Catholic High School, emphasizing her experience with student access, financial aid, college readiness, and support for first-generation and Pell-eligible students. She spoke about the generational impact of college completion and praised Tallahassee State College’s student-centered culture and staff. During questions, she addressed concerns about NCLEX scores and said the college had a comprehensive plan approved by the Florida Board of Nursing. The exchange ended with a brief humorous aside before the committee moved on.
Chad Maizel — Chad Maizel was introduced as a new appointee to the University of South Florida Board of Trustees and then gave his opening remarks. He identified himself as CEO of Marist Management and described prior service as chief of staff and acting associate attorney general at the U.S. Department of Justice. He said that, as a native Floridian, he values the role of the state university system in expanding opportunity and driving workforce and economic growth, and he expressed enthusiasm for supporting USF’s growth, national reputation, and mission as a pathway to opportunity for the USF community.
Michael Allen Mayo — Michael Allen Mayo’s confirmation discussion for the University of North Florida Board of Trustees included his opening remarks about being honored to serve, his background with Baptist Health and six years as an adjunct professor at UNF, and his commitment to student development and public service. Senator Davis then praised Mayo’s leadership, community impact, and board experience, noting his importance as a new trustee. Mayo concluded by acknowledging the oath and highlighting UNF’s progress, including improved NCLEX scores and efforts to develop clinical leaders.
David Kerner — David Kerner is introduced, brought forward to be sworn in, and begins his testimony as a governor-appointed candidate. He thanks the committee, identifies himself, and briefly outlines his background in law enforcement, prosecution, public service, and leadership at the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. He then describes his educational path through Florida public schools and colleges, emphasizing his deep personal and family connection to Palm Beach State College and the broader community. He closes by expressing hope for confirmation and pledging to serve with dignity and passion.
Edward John Curtis — Edward John Curtis was introduced as a new appointee to the Board of Trustees of the College of Florida and then, speaking by Zoom, identified himself as a retired Army colonel. He described his background, including his education, family, prior board experience, and civic involvement in Key West, and explained that he applied for the board after hearing there was no one in the pipeline, ultimately being selected by the governor.
Edward Curtis — Edward Curtis described his family’s deep commitment to education, noting his wife’s community college and university background, his children and in-laws’ many degrees, and his family’s nurses and doctors. He used that background to emphasize his goal of making the College of the Florida Keys the destination for Monroe County students, especially by strengthening its nursing program and encouraging local students to spend their first two years there.
Stephen Bunch — Stephen Bunch, newly appointed to the Board of Trustees of Hillsborough College, introduced himself as the managing partner of the Tampa Bay office and explained that his real estate and development background would help him bring strategic direction, financial discipline, and guidance to the board. He noted his personal connection to higher education through his college-age children and said Hillsborough College serves an important role by providing affordable pathways to four-year universities as well as workforce training. He concluded by expressing his desire to support the college’s growth and help communicate its value.
Mr. Curtis — Referenced by Stephen Bunch as having given a memorable prior introduction.
David Smith — David Smith was introduced as a new appointee to the Miami Dade College Board of Trustees, connected by Zoom, sworn in, and recognized to testify. He then gave his opening remarks, saying it was an honor to be considered for the position and describing his Miami ties, education at the University of Miami and Suffolk University, Marine Corps service as a judge advocate, work as an assistant state attorney under Kathy Rundle, and later corporate law experience in Miami. He also noted his reserve deployments and current role at U.S. Southern Command as a special assistant and speechwriter. Smith emphasized the importance of education, mentioning his wife’s career as an educator and administrator, and outlined his trustee vision: focus on student success, quality education, and a resilient institution. He said Miami’s growth should be leveraged to align students with careers in tech, health care, and other emerging fields, while investing in faculty and staff development, practicing efficient budgeting, keeping tuition low, and enhancing the college’s brand to attract the right students.
Peter Edward Beatty / Peter Batty — New appointee to the Board of Trustees of the College of the Florida Keys; identified himself as a lifelong Florida Keys resident and College of the Florida Keys alumnus.
Peter Batty / Peter Edward Beatty — Peter Batty/Beatty introduced himself as a lifelong Florida Keys resident and former College of the Florida Keys dual-enrollment student with a daughter in the program. He then described his role as founder and chairman of Gulf Atlantic Bank and said he wants to help the college thrive through responsible governance, workforce-aligned education, workforce housing, community partnerships, and expanded pathways for student success.
Mr. Pre-Rec Shaw — Mr. Pre-Rec Shaw was introduced and recognized as a new appointee to the Florida A&M Board of Trustees. In his remarks, he said he wants to bring his experience to the role, emphasized the importance of education as a path to upward mobility and leadership, and noted his family ties to Lakeland and Florida. He said Florida A&M’s decisions affect families across the state and, if confirmed, he would focus on student success and helping the university thrive. He also noted that he lives in Texas.
Sandra Stillwell Youngquest — Sandra Stillwell Youngquest, a new appointee to the Florida Gulf Coast University Board of Trustees, was introduced, confirmed, and took the oath. She expressed gratitude and said she was honored to serve, noting her long-standing involvement with the university through advisory work and donations. She then emphasized the university’s top priority of improving student success, described efforts to build a culture of care, and highlighted goals related to student safety, workforce needs, affordable housing, and creating an environment where students can thrive and succeed.
Patrick McDowell — Patrick McDowell was introduced as a new appointee to the Florida International University Board of Trustees and then gave remarks supporting his appointment. He thanked Senator Harrell and the committee, described his background in real estate and affordable housing, noted that he owns and operates workforce and affordable apartment communities in several states, and explained that he founded a Florida-based company in 2019 focused on rent-restricted affordable housing. He also highlighted his commitment to education through support for a school in rural Cambodia and said he was eager to serve as an engaged FIU trustee. McDowell concluded by outlining the qualities he believes a top public university should have—strong faculty, affordability, relevant coursework, community engagement, and good facilities—and referenced his board experience, including service with the Pérez Art Museum, before thanking the committee.
Fred Vakola — Fred Vakola was introduced as a new appointee to the FIU Board of Trustees and then gave a continuous statement about his background and vision for the university. He described moving from New Jersey to Miami, building his entrepreneurial career, and leading companies including Kasea and Simpro. He noted that Kasea has hired many FIU graduates and emphasized his desire to help FIU serve local students by preparing them for a changing world. He also highlighted the importance of AI, modernization, stronger community engagement, and positioning FIU and Florida as a leading tech hub.
Urban Meyer — Urban Meyer was introduced as a new appointee to the New College of Florida Board of Trustees and then delivered his confirmation testimony. He thanked the committee, described his background as a coach, analyst, and Sarasota resident, and explained how he became involved with New College through a mentorship program focused on student-athletes from difficult backgrounds. He highlighted the program’s emphasis on leadership, communication, fiscal responsibility, conflict resolution, and career paths, and said the experience reflected the value of his decades on college campuses as a student-athlete, coach, administrator, and professor. He concluded by expressing support for New College’s growth into an elite liberal arts institution and respectfully asked for confirmation.
Mr. Blyhart — The committee said he would appear next week because he could not attend this week.
Robert Kincart — Robert Kincart was introduced as a new appointee to the Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees, but the committee then noted that he was not online and moved on.