About

President's Office Team

Paige Beles Geers, Chief of Staff

Portrait of Paige Geers

Paige supports, proactively manages and shepherds high-priority projects and key university strategic initiatives. She oversees relations and outreach efforts with the Florida Board of Governors members, staff and other dignitaries. Paige is also the staff liaison for the Board of Trustees Strategic Initiatives Committee. Email Paige.


Linda De Blasio, Senior Special Assistant to the President

Portrait of Linda De Blasio

Linda proactively manages and coordinates the daily functions of the president. This includes synchronizing meetings and speaking engagements and optimizing the president’s time for maximum productivity. Linda assists in communicating with internal and external constituents, including the Board of Trustees, Board of Governors, business leaders, donors and government officials. Email Linda.

Travis Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff

Miller

Travis works with President Law and other university leaders on project management of strategic initiatives and other institutional priorities. He also serves as the President’s Office liaison to key on-campus groups, including Presidential Advisory Committees, and assists the President in staying connected with and being an active participant in the university’s student community across all three campuses. Email Travis.

Shari Martinez, Director of Executive Events

Martinez

As the lead planner for presidential and executive events in the President's Office, Shari partners with all units across USF in ensuring proper protocol, presentation, and communication is met for all events involving the President, including logistics for Board of Trustees and Board of Governors events. Shari also manages events at Lifsey House and is the liaison to Town and Gown. Email Shari.

Amberly Nelson, Director of Commencement

Amberly Nelson headshot

Amberly provides leadership for the university’s Commencement ceremonies, working closely with senior leadership, the Registrar’s Office, colleges and all three campuses to provide students a memorable experience to celebrate their graduation. Amberly also coordinates graduate celebrations for the St. Petersburg campus. Email Amberly.

 

Christy Chefalas, Manager of Fiscal & Business Administration/Budget Analyst

Portrait of Christy Chefalas

Christy’s chief responsibility is the fiscal and business management for Executive Services including the Office of the President, Government Relations, General Counsel, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the Board of Trustees. She also serves as the HR manager for the Office of the President. Email Christy.



Mary Dooley, Fiscal & Business Analyst 

Portrait of Mary Dooley

Mary is responsible for the fiscal and business management for specific departments that report to the President’s Office including Commencement and Town and Gown. Mary also assists in the planning and overseeing of Commencement and related student communications, and provides administrative support to Chief of Staff Paige Beles Geers. Email Mary

Dorinda Agosto, Building Manager

Dorinda Agosto headshots

Dorinda oversees operations, events, and maintenance for the Patel Center for Global Solutions building, the leadership hub for the University of South Florida. Dorinda supervises student office assistants in serving as the first point of contact for guests; the planning and executing of meetings and other events held in the building; and in ensuring timely mail services. Email Dorinda.

Jaida Abbas, Operations Coordinator

Jaida Abbas

Jaida provides administrative support to the President’s Office, including meeting logistics, website maintenance, and assisting in business and finance functions for Executive Services. She also assists in supporting presidential events, the Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff in strategic university initiatives, and Government Relations Office administrative duties. Email Jaida.


Elizabeth Metcalf, Executive Communications Manager

Elizabeth Metcalf headshot

Elizabeth is responsible for promoting the strategic vision and outreach activities of President Rhea Law. A member of University Communications and Marketing, Elizabeth manages day-to-day speech writing and social media engagement to help raise the chief executive’s visibility, build community trust among stakeholder groups, and advance the university’s goals. Email Elizabeth.