Florida Tech chooses U. of New Orleans leader John Nicklow as new university president

“My vision is to make Florida Tech the top choice for students interested in STEM fields from all over the state, nation and world," Nicklow said in a press release.

Rick Neale
Florida Today

Support local journalism. Unlock unlimited digital access to floridatoday.com Click here and subscribe today.

John Nicklow, the president of the University of New Orleans, has been chosen from a nationwide pool of 112 applicants to become the sixth permanent president in the Florida Institute of Technology's 65-year history.

Nicklow follows T. Dwayne McCay, who served as president from July 2016 until he resigned in March 2022, citing the need to spend more time with his family. The presidency had been filled on an interim basis since July by Robert King while university officials searched for McCay's successor. 

"I’m just so excited to get started. The Melbourne community, the Space Coast:  I’m looking forward to meeting with many people, and understanding their views and building relationships," Nicklow said during a phone interview after Thursday's announcement.

"One of the things that I do love, what we've done in New Orleans, is really become part of the community. And build long-lasting, lifelong relationships and partnerships," Nicklow said.

More:Florida Tech announces creation of Space Coast's first medical school in Melbourne

More:Florida Tech interviewing five finalists in search for new university president

Nicklow will take office July 1.

Florida Tech boasts more than 9,300 students hailing from more than 80 nations, including nearly 3,300 main-campus undergraduates. Offering more than 180 associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs, the Melbourne university plans to launch the Space Coast's first medical school in partnership with the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine in summer 2024.

Nicklow was hired by the University of New Orleans in 2015. After serving as provost and vice president for academic affairs, he was named president in 2016.

"Under his leadership, the University (of New Orleans) has experienced multiple years of enrollment growth, a first in the post-Katrina era, and a near doubling of external research grant and contract expenditures," according to Nicklow's presidential finalist biography on the Florida Tech website.

"He has successfully led the first major comprehensive fundraising campaign in the campus’ 65-year history and has overseen major growth of the University’s endowment during his tenure," the bio said.

More:Florida Tech reinstates men's rowing amid Title IX lawsuit, looks to hire head coach

More:'War zone': Melbourne cracks down on decrepit nuisance house inhabited by squatters

John Nicklow has been appointed president of the Florida Institute of Technology.

Nicklow previously served as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at Southern Illinois University. The author of four books, he earned bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering from Bucknell University and a doctorate degree in civil engineering from Arizona State University.

In the press release, King said he will work closely with Nicklow as he transitions into the Florida Tech and Melbourne communities.

A seven-member presidential search committee and an executive search firm considered a nationwide pool of 112 applicants for the permanent president's job.

Nicklow was chosen from a handful of five finalists. The other finalists:

  • Jennifer Sinclair Curtis, former dean of engineering at the University of California-Davis. 
  • Louis Martin-Vega, dean of the College of Engineering at North Carolina State University.
  • John Wiencek, provost and executive vice president of the University of Akron.
  • Wolf Yeigh, chancellor and professor of engineering at the University of Washington-Bothell. 
The Florida Institute of Technology logo.

The finalists visited campus in February, participated in community forums, and generated more than 400 surveys that were reviewed by the search committee.

“Dr. Nicklow’s leadership success as a sitting president at the University of New Orleans, his extensive background in academics and research, as well as his approach to teamwork and collaboration will all be assets to Florida Tech,” Travis Proctor, who chairs the Florida Tech board of trustees, said in the press release. He also chaired the presidential search committee.

“Throughout his 25-year career, he has a proven record of fostering enrollment growth and student success, strengthening campus research enterprises and expanding strategic and philanthropic partnerships," Proctor said.

Rick Neale is the South Brevard Watchdog Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY (for more of his stories, click here.) Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @RickNeale1

Support local journalism. Subscribe today.