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School of Public Affairs secures 7-year global reaccreditation for Master of Public Administration (MPA) program

The School of Public Affairs secured a seven-year global reaccreditation from the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) for its Master of Public Administration (MPA) program, recognizing the program’s excellence on an international scale.

August 29, 2024Honors and Awards

Kaila Witkowski, assistant professor at Florida Atlantic University, and Dougherty with the Maui Food Bank, a group that has been instrumental in meeting the continued needs of Maui residents in the aftermath of the fires.

USF summer ventures span the globe with innovative research projects

Faculty at the University of South Florida traded classroom lectures this summer for international adventures, embarking on research projects to solve global challenges.

August 1, 2024Community Engagement, Research

Aditi Sugeerappa Hoti poses by the University of South Florida sign after her graduation ceremony. (Photo courtesy of Aditi Sugeerappa Hoti)

MURP graduate secures first-place title with an innovative research paper on road safety in Florida's district seven

MURP alumna Aditi Sugeerappa Hoti earns first-place in student paper competition from the American Planning Association's (APA) Transportation Planning Division.

June 21, 2024Alumni News, Honors and Awards, Research

Emergency response person holding sandbag (Photo from Adobe Stock)

School Director Dr. Robin Ersing participates in NSF Disaster Resilience Team Science program

The two-month long training and experiential program brought together a cohort of faculty colleges and universities across the state to develop an interdisciplinary project idea around challenges related to preparing for and recovering from disasters.

June 21, 2024Honors and Awards

(From left, first row) Elaine DeLeeuw, administration director; Evalyse Sanabria, GIS intern; Abbie Weeks, wetlands scientist. (From left, back row) Chris Boland, GIS administrator; Michael Lynch, wetlands director. (Photo courtesy of Evalyse Sanabria)

Undergraduate student's urban studies minor supports internship experience in environmental protection

USF senior Evalyse Sanabria's knowledge gained from minoring in the School of Public Affairs' urban studies program strengthens her internship experience with the Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) of Hillsborough County.

April 22, 2024Community Engagement, Honors and Awards

USF Alumni Association young alumni

The USF Alumni Association honors four graduates from CAS with the 2024 Outstanding Young Alumni Awards

Four CAS alumni have been acknowledged for their achievements spanning multimedia production, professional sports, and public administration.

March 27, 2024Alumni News, Honors and Awards

Legislative Internship Program students from the Fall 2023 semester. Top Row (left to right): Criten Cameron, Erica Clare, Corey Shiver, Kade Kranjc, and Emma Evans. Bottom Row (left to right): Olivia Firlejczyk, GA of the program Savannah Havird, Jessica Pimentel, and Stella Chianello. Photo courtesy of Olivia Firlejczyk)

The School of Public Affairs' Legislative Internship Program gives students a firsthand look at local government affairs

USF students Emma Evans, Olivia Firlejczyk, and Jessica Pimentel share their experiences within the LIP during the Fall 2023 semester.

January 25, 2024Community Engagement

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Imagine Clearwater, future developments aim to make city more vibrant

Associate Professor Dr. Elizabeth Strom was interviewed by reporter Miguel Octavio from WTSP (CBS) Channel 10 News about the future developments and efforts aimed to revitalize downtown Clearwater to make the city more vibrant.

January 24, 2024Faculty News

Annabelle Folsom in D.C. during the Student PIRGs’ National Lobby Day held last February. Students from PIRG chapters around the country went to D.C. to talk to representatives about supporting bills related to affordable textbooks, the right to repair, and reducing single-use plastics. (Photo courtesy of Folsom)

Public service and leadership minor prepares students for a future of ‘giving back’ for the ‘greater good’

The public service and leadership minor prepares students to lead in complex organizational environments, work effectively in crisis, and overcome pressing issues facing the community.

January 17, 2024Community Engagement

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

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!