Provost Michael Amiridis applied Tuesday to be president of Florida State University after serving five years in his current USC post.
Amiridis is one of 39 applicants unanimously approved by the FSU board of trustees to interview for the position. FSU Interim President Garnett Stokes is also up for the school’s top spot, as are several top administrators from across the country. Stokes was named interim president in March after Eric Barron left to become president of Penn State University.
In a letter to FSU’s presidential search committee, Amiridis outlined his “top ten” reasons he would be a good fit to permanently replace former president Barron.
He made a point to de-emphasize typical application concepts like “personal values” and “interpersonal skills” in his letter, saying it was “unnecessary — and slightly embarrassing — to have to make a case along these lines.” His commitment to diversity, clear vision for today’s universities and “appreciation of the role of a strong athletics program” made the bulleted list instead.
Amiridis was approached by a search consultant, he wrote, but he decided to apply based on how his experience at USC could translate to FSU’s campus.
“I strongly believe that academic leaders, regardless of the position they find themselves in … can only be successful if they view themselves as primus inter pares (first among equals), build consensus around their plans and priorities, and lead by example,” he wrote.
There is no current timeline for FSU to name a new president. The Sept. 2 application deadline was the first in a series of steps applicants will take in the hopes of cinching the job. Finalist selection and on-campus interviews will be announced in the coming weeks. The number of finalists who will interview has yet to be determined, according to the FSU Presidential Search Committee website.
Amiridis said the similarities between USC and FSU, especially in terms of size, rankings and athletic aspirations, give him preparation for the position, would allow him to “hit the ground running” and give him the chance to further the school academically.
“I have a lot of respect for the academic success of Florida State University and I strongly believe that it deserves even more national and international recognition than it is currently receiving,” he wrote.
Amiridis declined to comment Wednesday afternoon about his application, the application process or his future career aspirations. USC President Harris Pastides could not be reached for comment.
Amiridis told the search committee he’s looking for strong academic leaders, strategic resource allocation and swift decision-making when it comes to better operating within an organization.
But those aren’t the only things he’s looking for.
“After 20 years at an SEC school, it is very difficult for me to imagine a complete campus experience without a vibrant athletics program,” he wrote.