After FAU relaunched the search, Hasner, a former Republican majority leader in the Florida House, emerged as a finalist. Now a vice president at Florida-based private prison company GEO Group, Hasner beat out two academics for the role: a dean at Florida State University and the provost of the University of Maine.

Florida Atlantic University hired a former GOP lawmaker as president, and Florida International University tapped the lieutenant governor at the urging of Governor Ron DeSantis.

Board Chair Rogelio Tovar said Gov. Ron DeSantis' office contacted him and asked him to consider Nuñez as the next president.

Adam Hasner, Republican candidate for Florida 22nd Congressional district, answers question during his debate against Lois Frankel, in West Palm Beach, Fla., Oct. 17, 2012. (AP Photo/J Pat