Rhea Law Confirmed By Board Of Governors As USF's 8th President

ST. PETERSBURG, FL —The Florida Board of Governors (BOG) Wednesday voted unanimously to confirm Rhea Law as the University of South Florida’s next president, a USF news release said.

Law has served as the university's interim president since August. According to USF staff, her leadership helped the university experience the most transformational legislative session in USF history, with record-setting investments in operations all three campuses: Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota.

"Today's confirmation by the Board of Governors is a recognition of the University of South Florida’s tremendous momentum," Law said. "I am continuously inspired by the dedication of our students, faculty, staff, alumni and others within our community to shaping a better world and changing lives. It’s their passion, commitment and talent that will make the next era for USF our finest yet.”

Law is the first USF alum to fill this role, a news release said.

In an email shared from Law with the USF community Wednesday, she shared her visions as president of the campus.

Law's Vision Is Below:

• Building strength with new leadership
• Our people and students-the heart of everything we do
• Creating a culture of inclusive excellence
• Building an infrastructure for innovation
• On-campus stadium at the Tampa campus
• Community engagement
• A new USF Strategic Plan

"USF has been a part of my entire educational and professional life since the beginning – when I began work as a research project administrator in the USF Office of Sponsored Research," Law wrote in the email. "To be able to give back to this university and to this community is truly the privilege of my life."

The university said Law has the rare distinction of becoming president after previously serving as chair of the board of trustees, working at the university as a staff member and being a student, giving her a unique perspective.

Law earned her undergraduate degree in management from USF, putting herself through school while working as the university research project administrator for the Office of Sponsored Research, a news release said.

She then earned her terminal degree in law at Stetson University College of Law, where she later served as chair of their Board of Overseers, helping to select both a dean of the College of Law and president of the university.

For more information about the University of South Florida, visit its website.