USF President Rhea Law To Retire, Replacement Sought

TAMPA BAY, FL — University of South Florida president Rhea Law plans to step down from the position following a national search for someone to take over the role, according to a USF news release.

Law has served as president since August 2021, first 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. “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 her 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. The AAU represents the top 3 percent of universities in the U.S. and Canada, and USF leaders set the goal to join the organization more than 15 years ago.

USF also ranked among the top 50 public universities in America by U.S. News & World Report during Law’s time as president and was included as the “best value” among all universities in Florida for the past two years.

The university also broke institutional records for research funding and undergraduate student applications, as well as single-year records for number of donors and total philanthropic giving.

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.

USF also opened a new Judy Genshaft Honors College building, a new Student Health & Wellness Center on the Tampa campus, the first new addition to its Research Park since 2005, the Porter Family Indoor Performance Facility supporting USF Athletics, the first-ever student housing on the Sarasota-Manatee campus and other facilities with Law in charge.

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.

“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,” Law said.