MOEZ LIMAYEM

PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA, JACKSONVILLE

With more than 1,900 employees, the University of North Florida serves more than 16,000 students. Limayem became president in 2022 after a decade as dean of the University of South Florida’s business college. Originally from Tunisia, he worked as a systems analyst and computing consultant in the private sector before moving into academia. Under his leadership, UNF aims to become a top 100 public university as ranked by U.S. News & World Report by 2028 and to grow the school’s enrollment to 25,000. “UNF plays a vital civic role — fueling the workforce, enriching cultural life and partnering with local leaders to strengthen our region,” he says.

EDUCATION: Institut Superieur de Gestion (BS), University of Minnesota (MBA, Ph.D.)

FIRST JOB: My first job was as a computer analyst in Tunisia, where I acted as a bridge between business and technical teams.

DREAM ALTERNATE CAREER: If I weren’t in higher education, I would still choose a path that brings people together and creates a lasting impact — perhaps as a global educator, diplomat or social entrepreneur.

SOMETHING SURPRISING: Most don’t know I quietly collect handwritten notes from students, parents, colleagues and community leaders — some joyful, others written in moments of hardship. I’ve kept them all. … On the hardest days, those words reignite my purpose.