Moya
Concerns About Rachel Moya’s Appointment to the UWF Board of Trustees
Dr. Rachel Moya was appointed to the University of West Florida (UWF) Board of Trustees in December 2024. Her appointment raises concerns regarding qualifications, regional representation, and potential conflicts of interest.
Key Facts:
Limited Higher Education Experience – Moya’s background is in K-12 education governance (Beaufort County Board of Education, Beaufort-Jasper Academy of Career Excellence). She has no known experience in university-level governance, faculty oversight, or research administration.
Recent Relocation & Regional Representation – Moya recently moved from South Carolina to Ponte Vedra, Florida. Florida statute emphasizes regional representation on university boards, yet there is no clear evidence of prior ties to UWF or Northwest Florida.
Previous Role in Private Education Business – Until recently, Moya was the Chief Revenue Officer for The Amos Group, a private education data and technology company. If UWF engages with companies like The Amos Group, there could be concerns about conflicts of interest.
Political Background – Moya founded a political consulting firm (Your Day, LLC) that provided fundraising and campaign consulting. This raises questions about whether her appointment was made for political reasons rather than higher education expertise.
Action Needed: Contact Your Senator
The Florida Senate must confirm or reject Rachel Moya’s appointment. If you believe UWF deserves leadership with direct university experience and strong regional ties, reach out to your senator.
Ask them to VOTE NO on Rachel Moya’s confirmation to the UWF Board of Trustees.
Why This Matters
UWF’s leadership should be qualified, experienced, and connected to the university’s mission and region. Decisions affecting students, faculty, and research funding should not be influenced by political appointments or potential conflicts of interest.
Contact your senator today. #SaveUWF
Example Letter to Senator
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
Senator [Recipient’s Name]
[Recipient’s Office Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
Subject: Vote NO on Rachel Moya’s Confirmation to UWF Board of Trustees
Dear [Senator’s Name],
I am writing to express my concern about the appointment of Dr. Rachel Moya to the University of West Florida (UWF) Board of Trustees and to urge you to vote NO on her confirmation.
I am a [Pensacola resident, UWF alum, veteran, parent, faculty member, business owner, concerned citizen, etc.], and this issue directly affects [my family, my students, my business, my community, etc.].
Dr. Moya’s appointment raises significant concerns regarding her qualifications, regional representation, and potential conflicts of interest:
Lack of Higher Education Experience – Dr. Moya’s background is in K-12 education governance, not university leadership. She has no known experience in higher education administration, faculty governance, or research funding oversight.
No Ties to UWF or Northwest Florida – Florida statute emphasizes regional representation on university boards, yet Dr. Moya recently relocated from South Carolina to Ponte Vedra, Florida, with no clear prior connection to UWF.
Potential Conflicts of Interest – Until recently, Dr. Moya served as Chief Revenue Officer for The Amos Group, a private education data and technology company. If UWF were to engage in business with similar entities, ethical concerns could arise.
Political Appointment, Not Merit-Based – Dr. Moya’s background in political consulting and fundraising suggests that her selection may have been politically motivated rather than based on higher education expertise.
The UWF Board of Trustees should be composed of individuals with strong university leadership experience and a clear commitment to the institution’s success. Dr. Moya’s appointment does not align with these standards.
I respectfully urge you to vote NO on Rachel Moya’s confirmation and instead support trustees with proven higher education leadership experience and genuine ties to UWF and its students.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]
Additional Key Points for these Appointees:
TIPS FOR CONTACTING OFFICIALS
✅ Any outreach helps, but the biggest impact comes from written letters, followed by phone calls, then emails. Lawmakers and their staff prioritize physical mail first, as it carries the most weight in official processes. Phone calls also get direct attention, while emails, though still useful, are the least impactful due to volume.
✉️ Letter Writing (Most Effective) – Handwritten or printed letters are taken seriously and often logged for review.
📞 Phone Calls (Very Effective) – Speaking with a staff member directly can make an impression and ensures your concerns are heard.
📧 Emails (Still Helpful) – While lower priority, a well-written email still adds to the number of voices speaking out.
How to Make Your Message More Effective:
🔹 Be Concise – Especially when using the governor’s online form (500-character limit).
🔹 Be Respectful – State your concerns clearly and professionally.
🔹 Include Your Information – Provide your name and contact details to ensure your message is counted.
🔹 State Your Connection – Mention if you are a UWF student, faculty member, alumni, or concerned community member to establish credibility.
🔹 Email Format – For senators not listed with an email, use:
📧 lastname.firstname.web@flsenate.gov
Mailing Addresses (for All Letters)
Letters should be sent to the Tallahassee office of the committee handling Scott Yenor’s appointment. However, for maximum impact, you should also send a copy to your own district senator to ensure they hear from their constituents directly.
Primary Mailing Addresses
Florida Senate Education Postsecondary Committee
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
Where to Send Your Letter
If you live in Pensacola:
Senator Don Gaetz represents Pensacola. Letters from local residents should be sent to his district office to ensure local concerns are heard by his team.
Send Pensacola letters to:
Senator Don Gaetz – District Office
418 W Garden Street – 4th Floor
Pensacola, FL 32502
📞 District Phone: (850) 595-1036
📍 For additional impact, also send a copy to:
Tallahassee Office
405 Senate Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
📞 Phone: (850) 487-5001
If you live outside Pensacola:
It’s important to contact your own district’s state senator, as they will have the most incentive to respond to their constituents.
Find your Florida State Senator:
🔗 Florida Senate Member Directory
Best Practice:
Send a copy of your letter to both your district senator and the Tallahassee committee office to maximize impact and ensure your concerns reach key decision-makers.