Cover Feature
Changing Lives: USF is working to build a brighter future, today
USF is a university defined by its core values of inquiry, innovation, integrity and inclusion.
On the pages that follow, you will meet just a few members of USF’s collaborative and diverse community who are dedicated to transforming lives.
Through the commitment of the faculty, students, staff, alumni, supporters and partners to addressing our most pressing issues — across Tampa Bay and Florida, nationally and globally — USF is making a positive difference through discovery, the generation of new knowledge and providing meaningful opportunities for our communities.
You’ll see, as reflected in national rankings and new initiatives, how USF is striving to ensure that the next generation of leaders is well-equipped to meet today’s challenges — and tomorrow’s.
Changing Lives:
Did you know? A few highlights of USF’s remarkable trajectory
$6.02 billion economic impact
USF’s annual economic impact in fiscal year
2019-20 was $6.02 billion, according to a study
by a team of faculty and students from the Muma College of Business.
Highlights from the study:
- USF is the 14th largest public employer in Florida with more than 16,000 employees.
- USF supports more than 68,500 jobs in Florida in USF-related direct spending.
- Every $1 of state funding invested in USF helps generate more than $14 in economic output.
Fastest- rising university
USF ranks among nation’s top 50
USF is the fastest-rising university in the United States over the past decade, public or private, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Over the past 10 years, USF has risen 48 spots among public universities and 67 spots among all universities (public or private), which represents a greater climb than any other university in the country.
For the third consecutive year, USF ranks as one of the nation’s top 50 public universities.
Supporting social mobility
USF focuses on affordable access, timely graduation and the elimination of completion
gaps based on race and income. Times Higher Education ranks USF No. 4 in the U.S.
for its efforts to eliminate poverty.
Culture of innovation
Times Higher Education ranks USF #1 among U.S. universities for its commitment to
industry, innovation and infrastructure.
Top 10 for Fulbright Scholars
According to the U.S. Department of State, USF ranks seventh nationally for Fulbright scholarship recipients for 2021-2022.
No. 1 in Florida
No other Florida university produced more Fulbright scholars than USF. This is the
eighth consecutive year that USF has ranked among the top university sponsors of Faculty
Fulbright Awards nationally.
Historic state investment
State leaders recognize the positive impact USF is having on students and the communities it serves. USF’s 2022-23 state budget is the most transformative in the university’s history, thanks to the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis. Highlights include:
- A $55 million recurring increase to the operational budget, including new funds for all three campuses and USF Health.
- $37 million to Cyber Florida at USF to conduct a cybersecurity vulnerability assessment for the state, and oversee training of state and local government employees against cyber intrusions.
- $20.5 million for cybersecurity workforce development, research and simulation activities at USF.
- $33 million to remodel USF Health facilities to add capacity for more nursing students.
- $7 million to expand nursing programs to address statewide shortages.
- $5 million to operate the Florida Center for Nursing at USF’s College of Nursing.
- $3 million to plan for construction of the new nursing/STEM building at the Sarasota-Manatee campus, the campus’s first new state-funded facility in over 15 years.