Discover free game tickets, expanded health services and new engagement options.
Tell us who should be the next Bold Bulls. Share essential resources. Invite colleagues to your event. Elevate new opportunities. Submit your content, ideas and feedback.
In the final hour of the spring 2025 add/drop period, a critical student case showcased the profound impact of USF’s support services. An international transfer student needed to declare a new major and register for a full course load before the end of the day to satisfy visa and degree progression requirements, but their academic advisor was unavailable. Fearing the consequences of missing this critical deadline, the student was distressed.
They reported the problem to a staff member who knew to contact Sarah Marshall, assistant director of the Office of Academic Advocacy. With minutes remaining to resolve the issue, Sarah collaborated with academic advisor Shawn Mallory over a Teams call. Shawn promptly declared the student's new major and created a registration plan, enabling the student to enroll in 12 credits. They acted quickly and decisively to make sure this student got the immediate care they needed.
This intervention took place during the first week of classes, a busy time when students may feel overwhelmed by their schedules and goals. The average academic advising session at USF lasts 30 minutes. If a single advisor met with every first-year student starting Sept. 9, 2025, without any breaks, it would take until late April... of 2027. Fortunately, USF boasts a formidable network of dedicated and caring academic advisors and advocates like our Bold Bulls, Sarah and Shawn, who provide students with timely access to expertise and quickly step in to resolve issues. And that makes a world of difference.
Get Engaged
This fall: Boost your productivity with Microsoft 365
The USF-Microsoft Student Ambassador Program offers a hands-on opportunity for USF employees — both individuals and teams — to further their expertise with Microsoft 365 tools provided by USF, including Teams, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive and Copilot.
USF IT also invites all employees to save the date for four exclusive, expert-led webinars tailored to our faculty and staff, covering Microsoft 365 fundamentals, file management, Teams meetings and Copilot chat agents. These sessions are designed to help you work more efficiently, collaborate more effectively and lead with confidence in a digital-first environment. Explore both opportunities.
Sign up to participate in Homecoming 2025 activities
The Center for Student Involvement invites all employees to participate in Homecoming 2025. There are opportunities to participate individually, with a group and as a department. Sign up before the deadline: Sunday, Sept. 14. at 11:59 p.m. Call CSI at 813-974-1001 for assistance.
Participate in the parade as a group and/or join a watch party.
Resource Spotlight
Now open! Working Bulls Sick Clinic for faculty and staff
The Working Bulls Sick Clinic, located in the Student Health and Wellness Center, provides acute sick care for USF faculty, staff and campus partners on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The clinic can treat a variety of ailments, from cold and flu to sinus infections and much more.
Learn about more services, appointments and walk-ins on their website.
It’s the peak of hurricane season -- build your kit!
Mid-August to mid-October marks the peak of hurricane season in Florida. Emergency Management offers several key resources, including the Emergency Supply Kit Checklist, which details the essential items to include.
Featured Events
USF Institute for Public Policy and Leadership Presents: The Debate-A-Bull Speaker Series
Friday, Oct. 17 5-8:30 p.m Sam and Martha Gibbons Alumni Center: Front Lawn
Employees and their families are invited to join the Alumni Association at its Welcome Home Party, held during Homecoming Week. Enjoy free inflatables, balloon artists, face painting and more. You can also stroll through the new Alumni Vendor Market where you can shop for unique items like custom trucker hats, sit for a caricature sketch or purchase doggie popsicles for your furry friend.
Annual Open Enrollment and Benefits Fair & Wellness Expo
Open Enrollment, the period when benefits-eligible employees can review and change their benefits selections, runs from Oct. 13 to Oct. 31. Prepare by visiting usf.edu/OE.
Attend the Benefits Fair & Wellness Expo to learn more about important plan updates and the many benefits available to USF employees. Vendors will be present with information about their products and services. This year, the Tampa campus will host a single benefits fair for all USF campuses.
Monday, Oct. 13 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Marshall Student Center Ballroom
The rise of deepfake fraud
With only a few publicly available recordings, fraudsters can clone voices, forge IDs and manipulate victims using synthetic media. People can only recognize about one in every four deepfakes they encounter. Can you trust a familiar voice anymore? Learn more in the Fraud Flash Report.
But Wait, There's More!
From your closet to theirs: Suit-A-Bull Clothing Drive
Runs until Oct. 3. The Center for Career & Professional Development is hosting a clothing drive on the Tampa campus and is asking for your donations of gently-used professional clothing such as suits, pants, blazers, dress shirts, blouses, ties, belts and shoes. These items will help stock Suit-a-Bull, our free professional clothing resource for enrolled students.
