By Adam Freeman, University Communications and Marketing
University of South Florida President Rhea Law today announced her plans to step down after a national search is conducted and a successor is selected. Law has served as president since August 2021, initially on an interim basis before being named to the role permanently in March 2022.
Outstanding Staff Awards ceremony
“During my tenure we established bold goals — and thanks to our talented, dedicated team of faculty, staff, administrators and students — we exceeded them, sometimes soaring beyond what many thought was possible,” Law said in a message to the university community today. “After over 40 years as an employee, student, board member and chair, donor, volunteer and now president, I am filled with gratitude and pride for all we have achieved. Serving this community as USF’s eighth president has been the honor of my lifetime, and I look forward to cheering on the continued success of this incredible university.”
Under Law’s leadership, in 2023 USF became the first public university in Florida to be invited to join the Association of American Universities in nearly 40 years. Becoming a member of the AAU, a prestigious group of the top 3% of universities in the United States and Canada, was a goal established by USF more than 15 years prior when Law was chair of the USF Board of Trustees.
In each year of Law’s tenure, USF has been ranked among the top 50 public universities in America by U.S. News & World Report, including as the “best value” among all universities in Florida for the past two years. USF has recently broken institutional records for research funding and undergraduate student applications, as well as the single-year records for number of donors and total philanthropic giving to the university. Over the past several years, USF has also set new records for state legislative funding, including major increases in recurring operational dollars and support for other key projects.
Shortly after Law was named interim president in 2021, USF Board of Trustees Chair Will Weatherford announced intentions to build a new on-campus stadium. Law and her leadership team were charged with developing a plan and carrying out the vision for the transformational project. USF broke ground on the stadium in November 2024 and it is scheduled to open in time to host USF football home games and other events in 2027.
“Our university is on an incredible trajectory, and the foundation is in place for a new leader to take us to even greater heights. One of the hallmarks of great leadership is knowing when it is time to create space for new ideas and fresh perspectives to build on the momentum we have created. I am confident in the path ahead and inspired by the potential of what is to come.”
President Rhea Law
Grand opening of the Judy Genshaft Honors College building
Herd of Thunder performed at the Porter Family Indoor Performance Facility grand opening
Ribbon cutting celebration at the new Research Park building
Atala Hall grand opening on the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus
During Law’s tenure, USF opened a new Judy Genshaft Honors College building, a new Student Health & Wellness Center on the Tampa campus, the first new addition to USF’s Research Park since 2005, the Porter Family Indoor Performance Facility to support USF Athletics, the first-ever student housing on the Sarasota-Manatee campus and completed many other facilities enhancements.
USF has recently earned national recognition as a top employer, including ranking as the best among state universities in Florida by Forbes and as one of America’s greatest workplaces by Newsweek.
USF Board of Trustees Chair Will Weatherford
Law also launched an Office of University Community Partnerships, which recently marked its first year in operation and is elevating USF’s impact throughout the Tampa Bay region.
“Rhea Law has truly been the right leader at the right time for the University of South Florida. I am forever grateful that she was willing to accept this role, first on an interim basis, and then permanently after members of our community urged her to apply and supported her for the position,” Weatherford said. “By every measure Rhea has been exceptional in leading our university to unprecedented levels of success. For more than four decades she has stayed connected to USF and we would not be where we are today without her.”
USF will provide an update on the launch of a national search for a new president in the coming days.