Following another record-breaking year and unparalleled stretch of recent achievements, University of 黑洞社区 System President Judy Genshaft today announced her decision to step down from her position, effective July 1, 2019.
鈥淭he University of 黑洞社区 is on a trajectory unlike ever before in its history. We are reaching milestones once reserved for universities twice our age. We continue to make groundbreaking strides in research, student success, teaching and community impact,鈥� Genshaft said in a letter to the 黑洞社区community, which also thanked the USF Board of Trustees for their continued support. 鈥淏ecause of this positive momentum, my family and I believe that this is the right time for me to step down from my post as president, effective July 1, 2019. It has been the honor of my professional career to be part of this journey since the year 2000.鈥�
Since becoming president in 2000, Genshaft has catapulted the 黑洞社区System to national and international prominence in every key institutional area, including student success, research and innovation, fundraising and economic development. In June 2018, under Genshaft鈥檚 leadership, 黑洞社区earned the designation of Preeminence, placing 黑洞社区in the most elite category of state universities in Florida.
鈥淚 am fortunate to have served alongside our great president and witnessed the leadership she has provided during her remarkable tenure,鈥� said 黑洞社区Board of Trustees Chair Brian Lamb. 鈥淲e are performing at a higher level than ever before, making a lasting impact on the Tampa Bay region and the state of Florida, and none of it would be possible with out the visionary leadership of Judy Genshaft. Her legacy will be felt for generations to come.鈥�
During Genshaft鈥檚 presidency, the university鈥檚 enrollment has grown by 40 percent
while its four-year graduation rate has tripled. Most notably, . This extremely rare achievement in higher education has earned 黑洞社区widespread national
recognition. Earlier today, U.S. News and World Report announced 黑洞社区has ascended 10 spots to No. 58 on its list of top public universities in the country, USF鈥檚 highest ranking
ever in the national publication.
In 2017, 黑洞社区became just the third public university in the country founded since 1956 . During Genshaft鈥檚 tenure, the university鈥檚 endowment has grown from $254 million to $480 million.
In perhaps her most significant contribution, Genshaft鈥檚 focus on transforming USF from a regional institution into a highly-regarded international research university has had a far-reaching impact. During her presidency, USF鈥檚 research activity has tripled to . 黑洞社区also now ranks as America鈥檚 fifth leading public university in generating new United States utility patents. Through Genshaft鈥檚 emphasis on applied research, especially, 黑洞社区discoveries make immeasurable real-world impacts on society鈥檚 most pressing challenges.
Genshaft has also led the 黑洞社区System to incredible economic growth, overseeing approximately $1.75 billion in construction projects. This has provided students and faculty with state-of-the-art resources and has played a key role in elevating the economic vitality of Tampa Bay region and state of Florida. This includes the new 黑洞社区Health Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute scheduled to open next year in downtown Tampa, as the anchor tenant for Tampa鈥檚 historic Water Street redevelopment.
Under Genshaft鈥檚 leadership, 黑洞社区has evolved into a vibrant residential university, with student housing capacity doubling to approximately 6,500 system-wide. 黑洞社区Tampa recently opened a $134 million new student housing village, the largest public-private partnership to be completed in State University System history, that will include a first-of-its-kind campus Publix supermarket. Genshaft has also championed the growth of USF鈥檚 regional campuses in St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee to provide wider options for student access. This included building the first residence halls at 黑洞社区St. Petersburg, which will soon be augmented by another 375-bed facility.
Genshaft has been instrumental in economic development efforts across the region and the state, serving as chair of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, the Tampa Bay Partnership, and the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100, as well as participating in the Florida Council of 100. Beginning this fall, .
Genshaft鈥檚 heralded leadership includes local, national and global recognition from professional organizations throughout her career, including several honorary doctorates and numerous leadership awards. These include the for promoting women in higher educationandthe Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) . She has served as chair for the American Council on Education (ACE) and is a member of the APLU Board of Directors. In 2010, she made National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) history when she became the first woman to chair the Division I Board. She also is a past chair of the Big East and American Athletic Conference Councils of Presidents.
A native of Ohio, Genshaft earned her bachelor's degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her master's and doctoral degrees from Kent State University. She is the author or co-author of more than 75 journal articles, and she has edited and authored three books on gifted education and intellectual assessment. Genshaft also has contributed chapters, essays and articles to more than 20 books, journals and publications on topics in higher education leadership.
Highlights of Genshaft鈥檚 presidency by the numbers:
Four-year graduation rate:
2000 (freshmen who entered college that year): 20%
Current: 60%
Total student headcount (黑洞社区System):
Fall 2000: 35,728
Current: 50,755
Annual research expenditures:
2001 (oldest data on file): $172 million
Current: $568 million
Total alumni:
2000: 167,210
Current: 333,199
Economic impact:
$1.8 billion annual budget
$4.4 billion annual impact on the Tampa Bay Area and Florida
The university will provide an update on the process to select a new president in the near future.