TAMPA, Fla. (Feb. 17, 2025) – 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.
“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.
In today’s message, Law addressed the timing of her announcement. She noted that when she was first asked to serve as interim president, her goal was to create a smooth glidepath for a new president to come in and be successful. Given USF’s achievements during her tenure, Law says the next president is now well positioned to continue to elevate the university.
“Our university is on an incredible trajectory, and the foundation is in place for a new leader to take us to even greater heights,” Law said. “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.”
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.
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.
About the University of South Florida
The University of South Florida, a high-impact research university dedicated to student success and committed to community engagement, generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. Across campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health, USF serves approximately 50,000 students who represent nearly 150 different countries. U.S. News & World Report has ranked USF as one of the nation’s top 50 public universities for six consecutive years and, for the second straight year, as the best value university in Florida. In 2023, USF became the first public university in Florida in nearly 40 years to be invited to join the Association of American Universities, a group of the leading 3% of universities in the United States and Canada. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and a ranking as a top 15 public university for producing new U.S. patents, USF is a leader in solving global problems and improving lives. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.