Explore updates from USF's President, university news and upcoming events.
From the President
USF is on a remarkable trajectory because of our people, and the annual Outstanding Staff Awards program celebrates those who go above and beyond. This is the most prestigious honor presented to USF’s staff and administrative employees, and we set a record this year for the number of employees nominated. During the recent awards ceremony, I was pleased to thank our honorees for their dedication to our students and our university, including our Employee of the Year Award recipients, Jorge Armando Rodriguez and Janelle Hanson. You can view a full list of the award recipients, as well as a highlight reel, here. Congratulations to all who were nominated for these awards and to our honorees.
Updates
• We are proud to be recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Dream Employers 2026. Announced last week, this is the second consecutive year that USF is the only public or private university in Florida to make the list. Among employers ranked in the education industry, USF is No. 13 in the nation overall and No. 5 among public higher education institutions. Our faculty and staff are the driving force behind our tremendous momentum, and we are committed to USF being a great place to work.
• I was delighted to be on the Sarasota-Manatee campus for last week’s groundbreaking for the STEM academic facility. Scheduled to open in fall 2027, this facility will enhance student success and workforce development with much-needed lab and research space and classrooms for students. It will support the growth of programs such as nursing and other STEM disciplines, and we are pleased to make this long-term investment in the campus and the community.
• I hope you will join us Saturday night as our football team hosts Rice for the final game of the regular season. In addition to being a Fan Appreciation Game, this will be Senior Day, and we look forward celebrating our seniors and cheering on our Bulls.
• As we prepare to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday, I want to express my gratitude to our faculty and staff for everything you do for our university. I hope you enjoy time with family and friends during the long weekend and return next week ready to finish the semester strong. And don’t forget to mark your calendar for our annual Holiday Open House on Dec. 4.
Research co-authored by USF professor Charles Stanish about ancient civilization in Peru was featured by CNN, Popular Mechanics, National Geographic and other outlets.
Newsweek and other outlets covered the USF Institute for Public Policy & Leadership’s recent ‘Debate-a-Bull’ forum focused on property tax reform in Florida.
Dr. Bibhu Mohanty from the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine was interviewed by Men's Health for a story on increasing HDL cholesterol.
USF’s Contemporary Art Museum offers a free walking tour of selected works in the USF Public Art Collection on the Tampa campus at least once a semester. The next event is scheduled for Dec. 6.
