After an extensive presidential search, the University of Miami officially introduced Dr. Julio Frenk as the university's new president in a press conference Monday.
Outgoing President Donna Shalala announced last year that she would be stepping down from her position as University president, a position she has held since 2001.
"President Shalala was one of the most highly respected voices, a leading voice in international health," Frenk, 61, told The Associated Press. "There's no question that she had such a successful tenure here, and that was very attractive in making this a very attractive opportunity for me. I think she's done a great job of improving the university."
Shalala was the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary under President Bill Clinton. Her next job will also involve working alongside the 42nd President, as she's been tabbed to lead the Clinton Foundation.
The search for her replacement had been ongoing since September, when she first announced plans to step down.
Members of Miami's Board of Trustees were invited to vote Monday and choose the sixth president of the private university.
Dr. Julio Frenk was previously the dean of faculty at Harvard school of public health and was formerly Mexico’s minister of health.
Once confirmed, Frenk will be the first Latino president in the University's history.
"There will be a process of shared learning, so I can learn more about the University of Miami and the university will learn more about me as well," Frenk said.
The school's student newspaper, The Miami Hurricane, confirmed the reports via Twitter.
After the Board of Trustees takes a vote to confirm @Julio_Frenk as the #NewUMPresident this morning, UM will hold a press conference at 12 — The Miami Hurricane (@MiamiHurricane) April 13, 2015
The announcement was made at a press conference on Monday from the Coral Gables campus.
