By Tina Meketa, University Communications and Marketing
As USF shifts into summer, thousands of new graduates are entering the workforce prepared to meet industry demand and elevate the talent pipeline across Tampa Bay, the state and nation.
Their final semester at USF was packed with milestone moments: a record-setting donation, multiple national championships and top-tier rankings that affirm the value of a USF degree.
While the 2024-2025 academic year may have come to a close, USF’s research momentum continues – strengthening communities and driving solutions for a healthier, more innovative world.
Here are some of the spring semester's biggest moments.
Historic $40M gift establishes Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing
Scheduled to open this fall, the nation’s first named college dedicated to artificial intelligence and cybersecurity will drive workforce development, national security and economic growth.
Trustees approve updated USF stadium plan, paving the way for full construction to move forward
The project’s scope now includes design and structural upgrades for potential future stadium expansion beyond the current expected seating capacity of approximately 35,000, build-out of academic space in the facility, vertical expansion of the Tampa General Hospital Center for Athletic Excellence and enhanced locker room amenities.
USF President Rhea Law announces plans to step down after national search to select a successor
Rhea Law has served as president since August 2021, initially on an interim basis before being named to the role permanently in March 2022. Under her leadership, USF became the first public university in Florida to be invited to join the Association of American Universities in nearly 40 years.
Mike Griffin, Board of Trustees vice chair, is serving as chair of the 14-member Presidential Search Committee. To assist the committee, USF has retained the services of SP&A Executive Search, a highly regarded firm that worked with the university in its last presidential search.
The USF Health Morsani College of Medicine has been ranked the No. 1 medical school in Florida and among just 16 in the U.S. to earn a prestigious Tier 1 designation by U.S. News & World Report. With record-breaking research funding and elite student achievement, USF Health continues to drive innovation in medical education, research and patient care
U.S. News & World Report ranks USF a national leader for dozens of graduate programs
The University of South Florida has 31 graduate programs ranked in the top 100 nationally by U.S. News & World Report, including 15 in the top 50 and five in the top 25. With standout programs such as industrial-organizational psychology, criminology and rehabilitation counseling, USF continues to rise as a leader in graduate education and research excellence.
USF recognized by Forbes as one of America’s top large employers and the best among Florida universities
The University of South Florida has been named one of the nation's premier employers and top university employer in Florida by Forbes, highlighting its vibrant workplace culture, commitment to innovation and investment in employee success.
USF names new head men's basketball coach
Bryan Hodgson comes to USF from Arkansas State, where he spent two seasons as head coach. He guided the Red Wolves to two of the most successful seasons in program history, with back-to-back 20-win seasons.
USF women’s lacrosse makes historic debut
USF women’s lacrosse dominated its debut game in front of more than 2,000 fans at Corbett Stadium. As the inaugural team, the players are well aware that they will forever be a part of USF history and are working tirelessly to ensure their legacy extends beyond the field.
USF women's basketball scores AAC conference championship
The team defeated Rice University, winning an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. USF women's basketball is the second team in conference history to win multiple tournament titles.
USF all-girl cheer claims USA Grand Championship
The all-girl and coed teams combined to bring home three championships, including a first-ever World Cup, from the 2025 UCA/UDA College Cheerleading & Dance Team National Championship at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, pushing the program's total to nine championships over the last five seasons.
USF track and field wins back-to-back AAC indoor championships
The University of South Florida track and field team captured its second consecutive American Athletic Conference indoor championship at the Birmingham CrossPlex, also earning the Bulls' men's coaching staff its second straight Men's Coaching Staff of the Year honor.
USF ranks among top 20 public universities for new patents
Based on the 82 new patents secured in 2024, USF is 16th among U.S. public research universities, 26th among all American public or private universities and 38th among universities worldwide.
USF study reveals how smartphones may benefit kids, risks of posting publicly to social media
The Life in Media Survey, led by a team of researchers at the University of South Florida, surveyed more than 1,500 tweens in Florida. Findings will help inform a 25-year national study that will track young people’s digital media use and wellbeing into adulthood.
Viruses identified in red tide blooms for the first time
In one of the first studies of its kind, researchers used viral metagenomics to identify several viruses — including one new viral species — present in blooms of K. brevis, more commonly known as red tide.