Tenure Timeline
Ashley Bell Barnett
Member, Florida Board of Governors
State University System of Florida
Term I
2.1y
November 27, 2023 — January 6, 2026
Term II (Active)
7y
January 13, 2026 — January 6, 2033
Appointed by: Governor Ron DeSantis
Committee: Chair, Campus Safety and Student Success Committee
Education: MPA — University of South Florida · Bachelor’s — Florida Southern College · AA — South Florida Community College · Professional Certificate, Management and Philanthropy — UCLA
Also serves on: Vice Chair, Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board · Polk State College District Board of Trustees (Chair, 2021–2022) · Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation Board of Directors · Lakeland Regional Hospital Foundation Board · The Children’s Movement of Florida Board · IDEA Lakeland Advisory Board · ConnectED Polk, Executive Committee · Women United Global Leadership Council, United Way Worldwide · United Way of Central Florida, Board Chair 2022–2023
2
Terms
12
Universities
6.2
Years Remaining
TERM II COUNTDOWN
Jan 13, 2026 – Jan 6, 2033290 days
2,550 days
2,260 days
Appointed to Board of Governors
Governor Ron DeSantis appoints Ashley Bell Barnett to the Florida Board of Governors for the State University System. She begins her role representing the State University System's 12 public universities.
Sociology Removed from General Education Core
Board votes 14-3 to remove sociology from the general education core curriculum (Regulation 8.005), replacing it with a 'factual history' course requirement. Ashley voted NO — one of three dissenters (with Amanda Phalin and Jack Hitchcock). She argued her sociology courses helped her become well-rounded, and that there's a difference between exposure and indoctrination.
Chancellor's Employment Agreement Approved
The Board approved the Chancellor's Employment Agreement. Ashley initially voted NO — then changed her vote to YES on the record before the vote was finalized. The on-the-record reversal is a noteworthy procedural moment and suggests she weighed the decision carefully.
Board Operating Procedures Approved
The Board unanimously approved updated Board Operating Procedures governing how the Board of Governors conducts its meetings and business.
Prohibited Expenditures Regulation 9.016 Approved
The Board approved Regulation 9.016 on prohibited expenditures. Hitchcock and Phalin dissented. Ashley voted with the majority.
FAU Board Chair No Confidence Vote Passed
The Board passed a no-confidence motion regarding the Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees chair. Frost, Silagy, and Jones dissented. Ashley voted with the majority.
FAMU President Robinson Reappointed
The Board unanimously approved the reappointment of President Robinson at Florida A&M University.
UF Hamilton Center Course Approved
The Board approves the University of Florida's Hamilton Center civil discourse course to satisfy the Civic Literacy requirement for students across the system.
2024 System Accountability Plan Approved
BOG approves the 2024 System Accountability Plan, highlighting record metrics: 62% four-year graduation rate system-wide, and an average bachelor's degree cost of $20,300 with financial aid.
2030 Strategic Goals Established
BOG sets ambitious 2030 strategic goals including positioning UCF among the top 50 public universities and FAMU among the top 100 public universities in national rankings.
UF Board of Trustees Selects Santa Ono
The University of Florida's Board of Trustees unanimously selects Dr. Santa Ono as the next president of the University of Florida, sending the selection to the Board of Governors for confirmation.
⚠BOG REJECTS Santa Ono as UF President
In a 10-6 vote, the Board of Governors rejects Dr. Santa Ono as University of Florida president — the FIRST TIME in the BOG's 22-year history that a Board of Trustees presidential selection was overturned. Members cited concerns about Ono's prior leadership on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, which they characterized as promoting 'woke' ideology incompatible with Florida's higher education direction.
Three University Presidents Confirmed
BOG confirms three new university presidents: Jeanette Nuñez at Florida International University (FIU), Marva Johnson at Florida A&M University (FAMU), and Manny Diaz Jr. as Interim President at University of West Florida (UWF).
Out-of-State Tuition Increases Authorized
BOG unanimously approves allowing universities to increase out-of-state tuition — the first such increases in over a decade. Universities may increase up to 10% in year one and up to 15% in year two.
New Accreditor Approved (CPHE)
BOG approves transitioning to a new accrediting body — the Commission on Postsecondary Higher Education (CPHE) — for the State University System, replacing the longstanding SACSCOC accreditation.
Latin American/Caribbean Scholarship Removed
BOG ends the in-state tuition benefit for students from more than 50 Latin American and Caribbean countries, eliminating a program that had broadened higher education access across the region.
Performance-Based Funding Model Updated
BOG updates the Performance-Based Funding Model that determines state funding distribution among the 12 SUS universities based on key metrics including graduation rates, employment outcomes, and research activity.
Chair's Unilateral Power Over Presidential Finalists Rescinded
BOG rescinds a rule that had granted the Board chair unilateral authority over the selection of presidential finalists, restoring more collective governance authority to the full board following the controversy over the UF/Ono rejection.
SUS30 Strategic Plan Launched
BOG formally launches the SUS30 Strategic Plan — a comprehensive roadmap for the State University System through 2030, setting targets for academic excellence, research output, graduate rates, and workforce alignment.
Term 2 Begins — Reappointed
Ashley Bell Barnett begins her second term on the Florida Board of Governors, reappointed to serve through January 6, 2033. Her reappointment reflects continued confidence in her service and the Board's direction under Governor DeSantis.
H-1B Visa Hiring Pause Approved
BOG approves a pause on H-1B visa sponsored faculty hiring through January 2027, affecting international faculty recruitment across all 12 SUS universities.
Florida Senate Confirms Reappointment
The full Florida Senate confirms Ashley Bell Barnett's reappointment to the Board of Governors for the term ending January 6, 2033, after favorable votes in the Education Postsecondary and Ethics and Elections committees.
Campus Safety Committee Sets Its 2026 Focus
As chair, Ashley convened the Campus Safety and Student Success Committee at the University of West Florida, opening a 2026 work plan centered on campus safety and food security, with panels on HB 757 and the Guardian Program and on campus food pantries.
FSU President's Contract Extended
The Board confirmed a three-year contract extension for Florida State University President Richard McCullough.
Out-of-State Fees Raised at New College and Florida Poly
Approved on the consent agenda at Florida Atlantic University, alongside the 2026 university accountability plans and the performance-based funding allocation.
⚠Dr. Stuart Bell Confirmed as UF's 14th President
At a special meeting in Tampa, the Board confirmed Dr. Stuart Bell as president of the University of Florida by a 14-1 roll-call vote.
Campus Safety Regulation Workshop
Ashley's committee held a workshop on proposed Regulation 3.0015, Campus Safety and Security, which implements HB 757 through threat management teams, annual risk assessments and mental health training. Information only; no vote.
System Budget and 2027-28 Legislative Requests Approved
With bad weather approaching Fort Myers, the Board approved all committee action items on one consent agenda, including the 2026-27 State University System operating budget, the 2027-28 legislative budget requests and the Task Force on Intercollegiate Athletics recommendations.
Admissions Regulation 6.001 Amended
Final approval of amendments to the system's general admissions regulation. A June floor amendment focused the language on individuals present in the United States unlawfully.
Dr. Michael P. Shannon Confirmed as UNF President
Meeting at the University of Florida, the Board confirmed Dr. Michael P. Shannon as the University of North Florida's eighth president, effective January 4, 2027.