Inside USF: The Podcast

One of the greatest highlights of the 2024-25 academic year was the record-shattering $40 million gift from alums Arnie and Lauren Bellini to establish the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing. In this episode, Provost Prasant Mohapatra describes the extensive efforts underway as the college gears up to welcome its first students this fall. He also reveals plans for a high-profile AI-cybersecurity conference and dives into several other transformational initiatives, including new degree programs in aerospace-aeronautical engineering and design and construction management.

After more than two years of preparation, women’s lacrosse – the first new women’s athletics program at USF since women’s soccer began play in 1995 – launches its inaugural season on Feb. 7 at Corbett Stadium. In this episode, Coach Mindy McCord discusses some of the keys to developing a program from scratch, including recruiting student-athletes, the culture she has established within the team and what fans can expect from this fast-paced sport. A first-generation college graduate, McCord stresses the importance of academics to her players (the team’s fall semester GPA was 3.75), noting that “mentoring has always been at the heart of what I do” as she helps them prepare for successful and meaningful careers following graduation.

Dr. Sten Vermund brings decades of infectious disease epidemiology and prevention experience to the USF Health College of Public Health, which he will lead beginning in January. He also is the president of the Global Virus Network, which recently relocated its international headquarters to USF. In this episode, Vermund shares his perspective on a variety of topics, including what attracted him to public health and to USF, his plans to continue building the college’s reputation, opportunities to grow the college’s partnerships throughout the Tampa Bay region, public health issues that keep him awake at night, and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Rhea Law’s fall address celebrated many of USF’s recent accomplishments – including student success, record research funding and a growing national reputation – that are advancing the university into a bold new era. She also shared priorities for this year that are designed to position USF for the future. Following the address, she sat down to discuss those priorities — including enhancing and expanding community partnerships and opportunities to grow the research enterprise — in greater detail. (The conversation begins at the 1:05 mark in the recording.)

USF opens the 2024-25 academic year with two new deans: David Blackwell, the Lynn Pippenger Dean of the Muma College of Business, and Elizabeth Spiller, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. In this episode, we learn about their backgrounds (spoiler alert: Blackwell struggled in his initial attempt at college as a first-generation student, Spiller wanted to be a corporate tax attorney), what attracted them to USF and their priorities for their colleges.

With extensive experience as a USF faculty member and administrator, Eric Eisenberg knows the university’s many resources can help elevate the Tampa Bay region. He also recognizes that potential partners may not know how to find help at USF – whether it’s hiring interns and new graduates, enhancing neighborhoods, exploring joint research projects or addressing other needs. In this episode, Eisenberg, senior vice president of university community partnerships, discusses efforts to make that process as seamless as possible and how faculty can get involved with his office.

Central Human Resources is in the midst of implementing several significant changes, including Embedded Services and Project Drive. In this episode, Angie Sklenka, senior vice president and chief human resources and administrative officer, details what they will mean for USF faculty and staff. She and Alexis Mootoo, who was recently named associate vice president for employee experience, also discuss the creation of the Employee Experience Team and how it will work to enhance workplace culture.

Amir Abdur-Rahim has been the competitive sort since an early age – that was a necessity growing up in a family with 13 children. He brings that competitive fire, and a commitment to building a men’s basketball program that will be “tough, together and connected,” as he begins his inaugural season this month as the Bulls’ head coach. In this episode, Abdur-Rahim discusses what attracted him to USF, what he expects from his team as both students and athletes, and the priority he places on having what he calls “a service heart.”

USF achieved a historic milestone over the summer: An invitation to join Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Stanford, the University of Florida and other elite research institutions as a member of the Association of American Universities. In this special episode, USF President Rhea Law talks with Barbara Snyder, president of the 71-member AAU, about why USF was selected for membership, its significance for the university community and Tampa Bay region, and the central role of faculty in propelling USF to this achievement.

From the invitation to join the prestigious Association of American Universities, to a new state budget that represents the largest operational funding increase in our university’s history, this has been an extraordinary summer for USF. In this episode, President Rhea Law shares her perspective on USF’s many successes and how they will impact faculty, staff and students.