Jeff Atwater, George LeMieux Interview for FAU Presidency

Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and George LeMieux,former chief of staff for former Gov. Charlie Crist, interviewed for the top position at Boca Raton-based Florida Atlantic University on Friday.

The two Florida politicians were among 10 selected as finalists for the job.

When asked what his goals were for FAU, Atwater said his goals included "increasing the graduation rate, becoming a top three school in Florida, cooperating with local businesses, and engaging the community." He also said hehopes to put a "great deal" of financial and academic focus on expanding online classes for the university.

Atwater flaunted his vast experience in Florida politics as part of why he'd be a good fit for the position.

Atwater has close personal ties with the university -- two of his children are FAU grads and a third currently attends school there. On top of that, Atwater hails from North Palm Beach, a city that is nearly 15 minutes away from FAU's Jupiter campus.

At 2 p.m., LeMieux took the hot seat for his 90-minute interview with the presidential search committee. LeMieux pointed to low graduation rates as something the university could improve on.

"With all due respect, you have a graduation problem," he said. "Your four-year graduation rate is 15 percent. Your six-year graduation rate is 41 percent."

Using better technology, he said, could help with the school's graduation rate. LeMieux also said he wanted to help FAU's medical school become one of the top 50 in the country.

The presidential selection committee is expected to name its three finalists for the position on Friday evening.