Features
A Week in the Life of President Law
By PENNY CARNATHAN ’82, ELIZABETH ENGASSER ’15 and PRESIDENT LAW
USF President Rhea Law, ’77, presides over the fastest-rising university in the nation, with nearly 50,000 students, 15,000 faculty and staff, and 389,000 alumni. In this job, no two days — much less weeks — are alike, or even predictable. But here’s a snapshot: her sixth week post-inauguration.
USF President Rhea Law’s investiture on Jan. 19 signaled a new chapter in her life — and the continuation of a decades-long story. Like many dedicated alumni, she never really left USF after graduating. Instead, she found new ways to stay involved and contribute to her alma mater’s success.
A trail-blazing environmental, land use and higher education attorney, Law’s job has changed, but not her approach to it. She says she still wakes up each morning excited about tackling the day’s challenges. She still enjoys finding the balance among seemingly competing interests. She’s still thrilled to explore, discover and learn.
“What I truly enjoy about this new role is that I have a front-row seat in the pursuit of new knowledge and the development of groundbreaking innovations,” she says. “I have the privilege of learning something new every day and encouraging our students to do the same.”
What does a week in the life of our president look like? They’re all different, but here’s a recent sample: Feb. 27 through March 4.
Monday
7:30 a.m.
A typical day begins with an early-morning wakeup followed by tea and breakfast with Law’s husband and best friend, Wayne Williams, pictured with his daily cream cheese-schmeared sesame seed bagel. Breakfast also includes reading the Bible together, a tradition that began at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. At about two chapters a day, they’re now in they’re third iteration.
On this day, Law is energized as she hits the road for the drive to the USF Tampa campus.
“I have a passion for my work,” she says. “I wake up in the morning and say, ‘We’re going to solve some problems today!’ It’s not work when it’s what you thrive on.”
10 a.m.
As she does every other Monday morning, Law meets with her cabinet — the university’s 15-member leadership team, including USF’s provost, vice presidents and regional chancellors. The briefings typically include updates and discussions of timely university matters.
“When I talk about effective leadership, I make it a point to mention that no one person can accomplish everything by themselves,” she says. “Every great leader has a talented team around them, and I am greatly appreciative of the members of my leadership team, our deans, and all of our faculty and staff for all of their dedication and hard work.”
Tuesday
1:45 p.m.
This morning saw Law and former Gen. Frank McKenzie, executive director of USF’s Global and National Security Institute and Cyber Florida, fly to Washington, D.C. There they met with Florida’s congressional leaders, including Rep. Gus Bilirakis (above) and Rep. Kathy Castor (below, pictured with McKenzie) to discuss USF’s breakthrough research, educational initiatives and solutions-oriented collaborative endeavors.
“USF receives a significant amount of federal funding, and this wouldn’t be possible without the support of our representatives,” Law says. “As president, I continue to share the important work happening at our university and advocate for continued support from our elected officials.”
The trip also included a stop at the headquarters for NASA, which partners with USF on a variety of initiatives. That was a particular treat for Law, who has long been fascinated with everything skyward — she kept a telescope in her 24th-floor downtown Tampa law office, co-piloted an F-16 fighter jet and went skydiving for the first time in 2005.
Wednesday
2:30 p.m.
With personal memories of USF’s early years, Law enjoys watching the university leap ahead and participating in those milestone moments. Today, she adds another to the list as USF Sarasota-Manatee campus breaks ground on its first student center and residence hall.
“I was on the USF Board of Trustees when Sarasota-Manatee welcomed its first class of students in 2006,” she told the crowd. “And I remember attending the groundbreaking ceremony for this beautiful bayfront campus.
“When I meet with people in the community and share about everything going on at this campus, they are surprised to learn that up until now, it’s only had a single campus building to support its students, faculty and staff. And now, it’s time to grow.”
6 p.m.
Without question, the president’s favorite activities involve students — the heart, focus and future of USF. She takes full advantage of every opportunity to learn their names and hear about their goals and dreams. She listens to all they have to share and files it away, building a baseline for future decision-making.
Tonight, she joined Athletic Director Michael Kelly for Senior Night at the USF Men’s Basketball game, a pregame celebration of graduating players and team managers. A big fan of all USF sports, she’s especially proud of USF’s graduation success rate for student-athletes — 80% or better for the past seven consecutive years.
“President Law has so many deep relationships within our USF community,” says Paige Geers, the president’s chief of staff. “She has the remarkable ability to be truly present in the moment no matter how many moments there may be in any given day or week. Those interactions energize her and inspire those of us lucky enough to be around her every day.”
Thursday
10:30 a.m.
“When I became president, I said that one of my first and most important priorities was the selection of our next provost — a decision I did not take lightly,” Law says.
Today she meets with USF’s new provost, our chief academic officer, Prasant Mohapatra, on his first day on the job (meet him on page 12). Mohapatra replaced Provost Ralph Wilcox, who stepped down in 2022 after nearly 20 years.
“I am confident Dr. Mohapatra will take us to new heights of academic excellence, and I look forward to his leadership in this role,” Law says.
Friday
11 a.m.
It’s USF Health Research Day on USF’s Tampa campus and students have broken records with the most presentations ever — 457.
“I was so impressed with the talented students I watched present during this event. Their pursuit of new knowledge and groundbreaking discoveries tells me the future of the health sciences is in very good hands,” says Law, whose affinity for medicine dates back to girlhood, when she dreamed of becoming a physician.
As with most events involving students, she pushed the boundaries of the day’s carefully choreographed schedule, hoping to see just a few more projects and speak with just a few more students.
“President Law’s schedule is always jam-packed, but rather than asking where we can find some breathing room, she usually asks who else we can make time for,” says the president’s senior special assistant, Linda G. De Blasio. “I’m exhausted thinking about how she does it, but she’s driven to serve like no one else I’ve ever met and it shows on the faces of those she connects with every day.”
2:30 p.m.
At the National Conference on Higher Education Law and Policy, Law discusses the challenges and opportunities facing today’s higher education leaders.
“We may not know everything about what the future will bring for higher education, but our colleges and universities are filled with passionate, dedicated, and incredibly smart people who are committed to building a better world,” she said.
“The scholars and leaders who have dedicated their careers to advancing higher education are shaping the future, not only through the students they educate, but the research they conduct and the businesses and community organizations they partner with.”
The panel event, hosted by Stetson College of Law’s Center for Excellence in Law and Higher Education Policy, included (pictured from left at table) Jacob Rooksby, dean of Gonzaga University School of Law; Fredrick Lawrence, CEO of the Phi Beta Kappa Society; Jonathan Alger, president of James Madison University; and Law.
Saturday
11:40 a.m.
“Can I get a selfie with all of you? I see people do it all the time,” Law tells the dozens of students gathered at the Marshall Student Center for the 18th annual Bulls For Kids 12-hour Dance Marathon. The student-led fundraiser benefits Shriners Hospitals for Children.
“I’m so proud to see you’re up on a Saturday to do this all day long,” she told the crowd. “Last year, you raised $60,000. Over the past 18 years, you’ve raised more than $1 million!”
Law enjoyed the event for more than an hour, teaching students some dance moves and chatting with organizers, participants and Shriners Children’s patients.
As the marathon was about to begin, organizers told the dancers that, throughout the 12 hours, those who received pledges of $100 or more would get to ring a big bell on stage.
Just before leaving, Law handed Bulls For Kids marathon director Tanusri Bandaru a $100 contribution.
“Would you like me to announce your donation?” Bandaru asked.
“No!” said Law. “I want to ring the bell!”
With a beaming smile, she gave several exuberant swings.
“This,” she said, “is joy.”
No two days are the same! Follow President Law on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.