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  • USF announces search committee for next president

USF announces search committee for next president

Jo-Lynn Brown December 11, 2025

The University of South Florida Board of Trustees has formed a search committee to identify the university’s next president.

Board Vice Chair Mike Griffin, a USF alumnus and co-head of the Florida region at Savills, will lead the search committee. Griffin also chaired the university’s 2021-22 presidential search and facilitated nearly 40 listening sessions with stakeholders.

“This outstanding group is committed to the future success of the University of South Florida, the Tampa Bay region and the state of Florida,” Board of Trustees Chair Will Weatherford said. “As we embark on the next chapter in USF’s history, there are many reasons to be excited about the university’s trajectory.”

Committee members include:

  • Charbel Barakat – USF Board of Trustees; general counsel, D.R. Horton
  • Derrick Brooks – Board member, executive vice president of corporate and community development, Vinik Sports Group; NFL Hall of Famer
  • Sandra “Sandy” Callahan – USF Board of Trustees; former chief financial officer, TECO Energy
  • John Couris – President and chief executive officer, Tampa General Hospital
  • Alexa Grubbs – USF third-year student, Judy Genshaft Honors College
  • Oscar Horton – USF Board of Trustees; president and CEO, Sun State International Trucks
  • Ken Jones – Florida Board of Governors; founder and managing partner, Third Lake Partners
  • Merritt Martin – USF Foundation Board of Directors; vice president of public affairs and strategic communications, Moffitt Cancer Center
  • Andrew “Andy” Mayts Jr. – USF Financing Corp. and USF Property Corp.; partner, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick
  • Harold “Hal” Mullis – Past chair, USF Board of Trustees; president, Trenam Law
  • Jenifer Jasinski Schneider – Interim dean, USF College of Education; professor, USF College of Education Literacy Studies
  • Debbie Sembler – USF St. Petersburg Campus Board; vice chair, USF Foundation Board of Directors
  • Sylvia Wilson Thomas – USF vice president for research and innovation; president and CEO, USF Research Foundation
  • Andrea Gonzmart Williams – USF Foundation Board of Directors; owner and operator, Columbia Restaurant Group

USF has hired SP&A Executive Search to assist with the process. The committee will recommend finalists to the Board of Trustees, which will conduct interviews and select the next president. The final appointment is subject to confirmation by the State University System’s Board of Governors.

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