Manny Diaz Jr. named the sole finalist for University of West Florida President

The University of West Florida Presidential Search Committee has selected Manny Diaz Jr. as the sole finalist for the UWF Board of Trustees to consider as the University’s seventh president.

“The Presidential Search Committee worked diligently to recommend the best candidate to serve as UWF’s next president,” said Zack Smith, chair of the UWF Presidential Search Committee. “After reviewing all of the applicants and conducting in-person interviews, it became clear that Interim President Diaz’s experiences of working in higher education, shaping education policy in the Florida Legislature, and serving on the State University System of Florida Board of Governors — while also serving as Florida’s Education Commissioner — have uniquely prepared him to be UWF’s next president.”

Diaz has served as interim president of UWF since July 2025 and brings a record of leadership in education policy, organizational strategy and initiatives focused on student success and innovation. He is a lifelong educator, whose career spans roles as a teacher, coach, assistant principal and chief operating officer of Doral College, followed by service as Florida’s Commissioner of Education and a member of the Board of Governors. Prior to his appointment as commissioner, he served in the Florida House and Senate, where he became a leading voice on education policy and sponsored numerous initiatives supporting students, families and teachers.

The presidential search committee process followed state law and Florida Board of Governors’ regulation to include stakeholder input; the development of a position profile; marketing of the position; identifying and screening the most qualified candidates; and then recommending a finalist to the Board of Trustees for consideration.

The UWF Board of Trustees is responsible for selecting the University President, whose appointment is then subject to confirmation by the Florida Board of Governors. 

As a next step in the process, the University will host an open public forum with Diaz, as well as an interview with the UWF Board Of Trustees. These meetings will be open to the campus community and general public, as well as livestreamed via WUWF. For more information on the UWF Presidential Search, visit uwf.edu/presidentialsearch.