The USF College of Public Health (COPH) is saying goodbye to four staffers as they head off into retirement in 2024.
Peggy Smith has been with the college 19 years, serving as COPH Dean Donna Petersen’s executive assistant for all of them.
“Dr. Petersen has been the best boss I could have asked for,” Smith stated. “She encouraged me to grow and learn and gave me opportunities to attend conferences. She has always been so kind and understanding. She made the college a welcoming place where I always enjoyed coming to work every day.”
But Smith says her boss won’t be the only person she’ll miss. “The COPH has been a wonderful place to work, and that is all because of the people who have been here over the years,” she said.
In addition to the people, Smith says she’ll miss the COPH parties, many of which she helped plan!
“There were so many fun holiday potlucks and celebratory parties over the years,” Smith said. “It was always nice to have time to talk to others and just be together and celebrate our accomplishments.”
“The COPH has been a wonderful place to work, and that is all because of the people who have been here over the years.”
When asked what some of her favorite memories were working at the college, Smith recounted the time USF hired outside contractors to paint the Dean’s suite.
“Somehow, the wrong color was chosen, and they started painting the office a Pepto-Bismol color pink,” Smith remembered. “None of the painters spoke English, so we had to track someone down to tell them to stop the painting as it was the wrong color. Someone ended up going to Home Depot to get replacement paint. That’s how we ended up with white walls!”
Smith’s future plans include travel—from a bucket list trip to Australia to a cruise through the Panama Canal to visiting her children in the Pacific Northwest and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“I also plan on doing some volunteer work with the county parks,” Smith said. “I love being outdoors and around nature, so I think that will be a great fit for me.”
Nancy Price, assistant director of human resources, is saying goodbye to the college after 18-plus years of service.
“Each day is different,” said Price, who received a 2018 USF Outstanding Staff Award, which recognizes employees who go “above and beyond” in their commitment to the university. "Picking a highlight is really hard. But I think what I will miss the most is working with my team.”
"Picking a highlight is really hard. But I think what I will miss the most is working with my team.”
Price says her immediate retirement plans are “to chill for a little bit. And maybe take a few road trips.”
Lisa Sleek, one of the college’s staff assistants, has retired after 14 years with the COPH. She worked for nine years in community and family health astrategic area and five years in the Office of Research.
Sleek, who received a USF Quiet Quality Award in 2014, said she’s enjoyed watching the college grow and being part of its community. “I’ll miss my colleagues and the students,” she said.
“I’ll miss my colleagues and the students.”
In retirement, Sleek plans to hit the open road in her travel trailer. She said she’s also eager to rest, play and learn new skills—like travel trailer maintenance! “It’s like a boat,” she shared. “There’s always something to be worked on!”
Lastly, Andretha Hall-Reeves, an academic program specialist, will retire this year. She has been with the college for five years and with USF since 1990.
Andretha Hall-Reeves