Kenneth A. Jessell | |
|---|---|
| 6th President of Florida International University | |
| In office January 21, 2022 –February 17, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Mark B. Rosenberg |
| Succeeded by | Jeanette Nuñez (interim) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 10,1955 Fort Lauderdale,Florida,U.S. |
| Political party | Republican [1] |
| Spouse | Lori Jessell |
| Education | Florida State University (BA,MBA,PhD) |
Kenneth Arthur Jessell (born July 10,1955) [2] [3] is an American educator,university administrator,and professor who was the sixth president of Florida International University. He succeeded Mark B. Rosenberg as president in January 2022,following Rosenberg's resignation amidst allegations of sexual harassment. [4] Jeanette Nuñez succeeded him as interim president in February 2025.
Jessell received his Bachelor of Arts in political science from Florida State University. He also holds a Master of Business Administration degree and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in finance from FSU. [5]
Prior to becoming president Jessel had served as the senior vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer at FIU since 2009. He is also a professor of finance at the Florida International University College of Business.
Jessell agreed to a three-year contract and an annual base salary of $650,000 as president of Florida International University and a performance-based bonus of $175,000,with his total compensation package coming out to $996,081,and was approved by the FIU Board of Trustees on October 17,2022. He was confirmed as president by the Florida Board of Governors on November 9,2022. [6] [7] His three year contract ends in 2025 and he is expected to be replaced by Florida's lieutenant governor and FIU alumna Jeanette Nuñez as interim president on February 17,2025. [8]
Jessell is a native South Floridian and he and his wife Lori reside in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea,Florida,and have two adult children,Amanda and John,and a grandson James. [9] [1] [10]