SPA News

2023 News

Stephen Benson (left) working with residents (middle and right) of the Tampa Heights neighborhood on a plan for the area. (Photo courtesy of Stephen Benson)

School of Public Affairs alumnus is awarded recognition in the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s ‘40 Under 40’

MURP alumnus Stephen Benson currently serves as Planning Director for the City of Tampa. This achievement recognizes his outstanding contributions to the community throughout his career.

October 11, 2023Alumni News, Community Engagement, Honors and Awards

MURP graduate student Beneetta Mary Jose (center) at APA award ceremony. (Photo courtesy of APA Florida)

MURP student wins APA Florida Student Planner of the Year

Beneetta Mary Jose, a second-year student in the Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) program in the School of Public Affairs, was recently named the American Planning Association’s (APA) Student Planner of the Year.

September 26, 2023Honors and Awards

group of people huddled on a path outside of USF sign

First planner-in-residence class to receive award for collaboration with St. Petersburg Innovation District

An innovative planner-in-residence class that developed a neighborhood master plan for the St. Petersburg Innovation District will receive an outstanding student project award from the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association on September 6.

September 6, 2023Community Engagement, Research

USF School of Public Affairs News image

Pathways Internship at the NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center

MPA student Tess Ocean was selected for a Pathways Internship at the NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center working with their CFO organization in Accounting & Budget.

August 1, 2023Student News

Mifflin (second from left) poses with USF President Rhea Law (third from left) during 2023 Joyce Russell Kente Awards and Scholarship Ceremony. (Photo courtesy of USF Alumni Association)

USF Alumna Lisa Anne Mifflin earns 2023 Joyce Russell Kente Award

University of South Florida (USF) alumna Lisa Anne Mifflin is the 2023 Joyce Russell Kente Alumni Award recipient. Mifflin was recognized at the April 22 awards ceremony, 22 years since the first ceremony was held.

June 21, 2023Alumni News, Honors and Awards

MURP students with APA President Angela D. Brooks (center). Photographed from left: Aditi Sugeerappa Hoti, Beneetta Mary Jose, Angela D. Brooks, Varshini Renikunta, and Abdul Samad Agha. (Photo courtesy of Beneetta Mary Jose)

MURP students place third in national competition to improve a Philadelphia neighborhood

USF College of Arts and Sciences Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) program students Beneetta Mary Jose, Abdul Samad Agha, Varshini Renikunta, and Aditi Sugeerappa Hoti earned third place for their design in the American Planning Association National Planning Competition in April.

May 16, 2023Community Engagement, Honors and Awards

exterior of the White House

CAS faculty cited in President Biden’s economic report

Research from USF College of Arts and Sciences faculty was cited in the 2023 Economic Report of the President. The report, released in March, includes a reflection by President Joseph Biden regarding the administration’s economic accomplishments, opportunities and challenges ahead.

April 27, 2023Honors and Awards

Empty vials of the Johnson & Johnson's one-dose COVID-19 vaccine

A University of South Florida survey shows the political divide on COVID-19 is still strong

WUSF NPR | A survey in conjunction with COVID-19's third anniversary shows the effect of politicization on public responses to the pandemic.

March 21, 2023Research

University of South Florida: A Preeminent Research University

As COVID-19 pandemic marks three-year anniversary, USF researchers release key findings from national public opinion survey

Researchers at the University of South Florida have released results from a nationwide survey that measures attitudes related to the COVD-19 pandemic. The findings include opinions about vaccines, concerns about potential future outbreaks and the role political affiliations play in these results.

March 14, 2023Research

coronavirus molecules under a microscope

2023 COVID-19 Pandemic Survey Results

Researchers at the University of South Florida conducted a nationwide survey of 2,500 American adults to measure attitudes related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including opinions about vaccination, exposure to/belief in vaccine-related misinformation, and concerns about potential future outbreaks.

March 14, 2023Research

USF President Rhea Law and students in the LIP program show their USF pride during USF Day at the Capitol held Feb. 8 in Tallahassee. (Photo by Elizabeth Engrasser)

School of Public Affairs interns get a glimpse of government career life via USF Day at the Capitol

Students taking part in the USF College of Arts and Sciences Legislative Internship Program (LIP) within the School of Public Affairs were part of a group of 100 students and alumni who made a trip up to Tallahassee, Fla. for USF Day at the Capitol held on Feb. 8.

February 21, 2023Community Engagement

About SPA News

Stay informed on the latest SPA news highlighting faculty, students, and alumni. Updates include innovative research and publications, honors and awards, our engagement with the Tampa Bay community and beyond, School events and milestones, and so much more!