Selection of Jordán Conde as UPR president generates criticism

Zayira Jordán Conde was appointed president of the University of Puerto Rico on Saturday. (LinkedIn)

By THE STAR STAFF

Reactions continued to pour in on Sunday regarding the appointment of Zayira Jordán Conde as president of the University of Puerto Rico (UPR). She was elected by the university’s governing board in a majority vote despite lacking support across the 11 campuses.

The vote has faced criticism, as Jordán Conde was elected following lobbying efforts by Ángel Cintrón, the former campaign manager for the governor, and La Fortaleza Chief of Staff Francisco Domenech, who critics say influenced members of the governing board.

The Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) stated that the vote highlights the current administration’s and the Financial Oversight and Management Board’s ongoing plans to undermine the university.

“Historically, the two-party system has contributed to the politicization of the UPR, and they continue this detrimental practice, betraying the entire university community,” the PIP said in a written statement. “We stand in solidarity with the students, faculty, and staff of the university. From the PIP, we reaffirm our commitment to overseeing these processes and continuing to legislate for a public, accessible, and quality university.”

Both the Puerto Rican Association of University Professors and various student groups have also rejected the selection of Jordán Conde to lead the island’s main public university system.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Jordán Conde is a tech, education, and economic development independent consultant, as well as the director of Puerto Rico CyberHub. She is the founder and CEO of Guard DV and the founder of Frente Estadista.

The former president of Atlantic University expressed her gratitude to the UPR governing board following her selection.

“I must express my deepest gratitude to the members of the Board of Governors of the University of Puerto Rico for their support and trust throughout the extensive and participatory process that led to the election of a new president,” Jordán Conde said in a written statement.

“I am confident that we will collaborate to implement the transformation that the University of Puerto Rico needs and deserves,” she said. “In the coming days, I plan to hold a series of meetings with various sectors of the university community to create spaces for dialogue and the exchange of ideas for the benefit of our University.”

“As I emphasized during the selection process, I intend to lead a presidency characterized by listening and engaging in respectful dialogue, allowing us to advance common goals for the well-being of our university, our students, and Puerto Rico,” Jordán Conde added.

The UPR governing board selected Jordán Conde with eight votes in favor, while Mayagüez Campus Chancellor Agustín Rullán Toro received six votes. Jordán Conde succeeds former UPR President Luis Ferrao Delgado, who resigned on Feb 3. Other candidates for UPR president included Angélica Varela Llavona, Héctor Ríos Mauri, Mayra Olavarría Cruz (discarded), Edwin Barea Rodríguez (discarded), Wilma Santiago Gabrielini, and Walleska de Jesús Bonilla.