October 10, 2024 – Florida A&M University (FAMU) Interim President Timothy L. Beard recently announced Jamal Sowell as Vice President of Government Relations. Sowell will be responsible for leading the implementation of FAMU’s government relations strategy and promoting the university’s interests and conveying the president’s strategic vision at local, state, and federal levels.
I am honored to serve FAMU and return to higher education where I started my career. Interim President Beard has the experience and vision for a time such as this,” Sowell said. “As the son of two Rattlers who met at FAMU, and the husband of a FAMU graduate, I cannot understate the important role that FAMU has played in my life and its historic impact on the state of Florida and the world.
Sowell earned his Bachelor of Arts in Religion from the University of Florida, where he served as student body president, sat on the Board of Trustees, and was named Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.’s National Undergraduate Student of the Year.
He completed a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from the University of Massachusetts and later obtained a law degree from Indiana University Bloomington. Currently, he is pursuing a Ph.D. at Hampton University. He was also a fellow with the Higher Education Leadership Foundation.
About Florida A&M University
Founded October 3, 1887, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) is a public, historically Black university located in Tallahassee, Florida. What distinguishes FAMU from other universities is its legacy of providing access to a high-quality, affordable education with programs and services that guide students toward successfully achieving their dreams. FAMU is part of the State University System of Florida and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.