The University of South Florida has terminated its relationship with SP&A Executive Search amid controversy over a candidate chosen for the University of Florida. The Florida Board of Governors rejected Santa Ono, former president of the University of Michigan, after significant conservative opposition related to his record on diversity and inclusion. Senator Rick Scott blamed SP&A for inadequate vetting of Ono. USF is transitioning its presidential search efforts to Korn Ferry, stating appreciation for SP&A's initial contributions.
The University of South Florida has dropped SP&A Executive Search as the firm leading its presidential search after the Florida Board of Governors rejected a candidate that SP&A had helped appoint.
Rick Scott, a Republican U.S. senator, criticized SP&A for not sufficiently vetting Santa Ono, the former University of Michigan president, who was rejected due to opposition from conservatives.
SP&A describes itself as a boutique woman- and minority-owned executive search firm, which has been criticized for allegedly collaborating with campus stakeholders to hire Santa Ono.
The University of South Florida has switched to using the international firm Korn Ferry for its presidential search, as stated by USF trustee Mike Griffin.
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