Fall 2025
Florida Atlantic: Making Waves
President Adam Hasner Builds, Connects, Delivers
The tide is rising at Florida Atlantic, and Adam Hasner is at the helm with bold ideas and a vision for national prestige that stems from a local current.
Since stepping into the role of president on March 10, Hasner quickly began engaging the community and accelerating the momentum of a rapidly rising university. In his first 100 days, he covered a lot of ground — including more than 110 miles of South Florida's coastline to connect with all six Florida Atlantic campuses from Fort Pierce to Fort Lauderdale. Hasner also established a strong presence in Tallahassee, elevating the university's visibility and advancing strategic funding priorities.
His focus on local, regional and statewide impact is central to his approach: building dynamic partnerships, driving innovation and ensuring Florida Atlantic continues its ascent as a leader in shaping the future.
Hometown Leadership
Hasner's roots in the region run as deep as his commitment to serving it. He was raised in Palm Beach County and is a longtime resident of Boca Raton. During his years in public service, Hasner served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2002 to 2010, including two terms as house majority leader.
Among his legislative achievements, Hasner built a solid record of driving economic growth and workforce development through STEM education initiatives. This included helping to establish Florida's life sciences industry alongside then-Gov. Jeb Bush. Making national strides for higher education, he authored the nation's strongest anti-hazing legislation and earned the "Hero Award" from the Hazing Prevention Network.
Even while shaping policy with statewide and national impact, Hasner made it a priority to deliver for his hometown university. He led a multi-year effort to secure funding and approval to establish the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, which welcomed its inaugural class in 2011. He also played a vital role in securing $43 million for the Engineering East building on the Boca Raton campus, which was the first state-funded higher education facility to attain LEED Platinum certification. Additionally, he advocated for the university's ocean energy initiative, sponsoring key legislation that laid the foundation for creating the state's Office of the Ocean Economy at Florida Atlantic.
While Hasner's dedicated involvement earned him the Florida Atlantic President's Talon Award in 2007 and the nickname "Mr. FAU," it was his belief in the power of opportunity at Florida Atlantic that ultimately inspired him to become president.
"Florida Atlantic was founded on the principles of opportunity and innovation, and it has been changing lives since it opened its doors 60 years ago," Hasner said. "Its mission — to serve this region and shape what comes next — motivates me to lead, and I am proud to connect our founding to the future as the university's eighth president."
Hasner's unwavering support for Florida Atlantic has spanned decades, and his unanimous appointment marked a full-circle moment for him, as well as a university community eager to accelerate its momentum under his bold leadership.
The Pace of Progress
Hasner's first months as president were defined by action, connection and a clear sense of purpose. Whether meeting with students and faculty members, attending ceremonies and athletic events, or representing the university in Tallahassee, his leadership style is hands-on, high-energy and highly visible. It's also strategic. As president, he focuses on what he calls the "three hats" of his role: chief fundraiser, top lobbyist and ultimate brand ambassador for Florida Atlantic.
"It has been inspiring to see President Hasner engage so deeply with our community since he joined Florida Atlantic," said Piero Bussani, chair of the FAU Board of Trustees. "His energy, commitment and passion for elevating both the university and our region through meaningful connections is already helping to build a brighter future for our students and our state. On a personal level, I truly enjoy working with him every day."
By hitting the ground running, Hasner delivered early results. Within two months, he secured a $1 million gift to fund semester-long internships in Washington, D.C., for students interested in public policy and diplomacy. The gift also established a President's Fund to create additional initiatives related to public service.
"It is opportunities such as this that continue to elevate the university's standing and enhance the education of our students," said Jeffrey Morton, Ph.D., Pierrepont Comfort Chair in Political Science and director of the Leon Charney Diplomacy Program.
Under Hasner's leadership, Florida Atlantic also built on its major milestone of becoming a Carnegie R1 top-tier research university by being recognized as an "Opportunity University" in the new Student Access and Earnings Classification by the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education. As one of only 21 universities nationwide to be recognized with both elite designations, Hasner's emphasis on raising the bar for excellence and expanding opportunities is reflected in this rare distinction.
"Achieving R1 status was just the beginning, and now it is about maximizing that potential," said Gregg Fields, Ph.D., vice president for research. "President Hasner is leveraging Florida Atlantic's regional strengths and positioning the university to lead in areas of strategic impact."
The excitement at Florida Atlantic — and for Florida Atlantic — has grown significantly since Hasner took office. More than 57,000 freshman applications were received for the fall semester, setting a new record that speaks to the university's rising reputation. As Florida Atlantic becomes more selective than ever, Hasner's first incoming class is the most academically competitive in university history.
Future-proof Path to Prominence
Like Florida Atlantic itself, the Hasner presidency is driven by innovation and opportunity. Focusing on lasting, sustainable progress, Hasner's vision builds on the strengths that have positioned Florida Atlantic among the nation's top public research universities. His deep understanding of the region and the state is propelling the university even further, leveraging its geographic location in strategic ways to reach new levels of academic excellence, research innovation and institutional prestige.
Florida Atlantic's burgeoning life sciences enterprise, cutting-edge medical research and groundbreaking ocean-related initiatives are only the beginning. Hasner views these strengths as launchpads for statewide, national and global impact. By positioning the university and its students at the forefront of emerging industries and creating strong talent pipelines, he is ensuring immediate returns for student success and economic development while charting a course that will define the future.
"A strong partnership between the city and university benefits everyone," said Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer. "President Hasner's collaborative approach is helping deepen the connection between Florida Atlantic and Boca Raton, bringing new opportunities for growth and innovation."
That same forward-thinking approach extends to athletics, where Hasner sees the Owls' rise in collegiate sports as an opportunity to continue elevating Florida Atlantic's reputation while strengthening community pride. From basketball and football to softball and beach volleyball, Hasner is opening the front door of the university to invite new talent and energy on and off the field.
"Even before he joined the university, President Hasner was a strong supporter of FAU Athletics," said Brian White, vice president and director of athletics. "He understands how our success on the field enhances the university's reputation and builds pride across the entire community — and we look forward to many more wins under his leadership."
But for Hasner, the ultimate goal is bigger than any game or program. It is about building a competitive university that leads the way in innovation, fuels economic growth and advances social mobility. He envisions Florida Atlantic as a national model for the future of higher education: a top-choice public research university that sets the pace, stays true to its mission and redefines what is possible for students and communities alike.
"Achievement and accountability will shape the next chapter of Florida Atlantic, but innovation and opportunity will drive us forward," said Hasner. "This is the kind of university the future demands — and we are just getting started."
The First Lady of Florida Atlantic
As first lady of Florida Atlantic, Jillian Hasner brings a track record of leadership, advocacy and public service that deeply align with the university's mission to expand opportunity and transform lives.
For 10 years, Hasner served as president and chief executive officer of Take Stock in Children, a nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty for Florida's youth. It provides a path to degree attainment or career certification through mentorship, scholarship, college readiness and postsecondary support services, and other critical resources. It serves more than 15,000 students from middle school through college every year. Under Hasner's leadership, Take Stock in Children expanded its reach, improved student success rates and strengthened its mentorship program to transform more lives than ever before.
Through a broad network of public and private partners, Take Stock in Children found a natural connection with Florida Atlantic's Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program, which provides academically talented, first-generation, low-income students the opportunity to graduate debt-free in four years or less. In the spring, five of the 12 Kelly/Strul graduates were Take Stock participants — a milestone Hasner joined in celebrating during a special event held in their honor. She and President Adam Hasner also hosted an event for the 170 students who are participating in the Take Stock in College program.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Hasner has a long history of community service. She has volunteered with Guardian Ad Litem, Boca Raton Regional Hospital and the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida, where she served on the board of directors. She also served on Florida's Federal Judicial Nominating Commission for the Southern District.
Now as Florida Atlantic's first lady, Hasner is channeling her dedication to service and student success into the university community. One of her first initiatives, alongside President Hasner, was re-opening the doors to the Eleanor R. Baldwin House, the president's on-campus residence, for events. Like her husband, her engagement at Florida Atlantic was immediate, and she quickly began hosting events such as appreciation breakfasts, graduation celebrations and recognition dinners. And, with her commitment to service ever-present, she partnered with a local organization to donate excess meals from these catered events to those in need.
Moving forward, Hasner plans to continue using the Baldwin House to foster meaningful connections among members of the university and the broader community. She envisions it as more than a residence — it also will be a dynamic gathering place where students, faculty, alumni and local leaders can celebrate, exchange ideas, forge partnerships and collaborate on opportunities that benefit the region. For Hasner, this work is part of advancing Florida Atlantic's mission, not just as first lady, but as a driving force in the university's growth and success.
"Florida Atlantic has always held a special place in our lives, and being part of its future is a privilege," Hasner said. "I'm excited to help open doors for our community and play a role in supporting the university's continued rise."
For more information, email dorcommunications@fau.edu to connect with the Research Communication team.
