It’s a new era at the University of Tampa, with Dr. Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg beginning her tenure as the 11th president of the University.
After nearly 30 years of service to the educational institution, Ronald “Ron” Vaughn retired last May, following an incredible run and facilitation of the University’s massive enrollment growth.
Dahlberg previously was the provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at Texas Christian University. In addition to being TCU’s chief academic officer, Dahlberg was also a professor of computer science and engineering. She has almost 30 years of experience in higher education, as a faculty member and an administrator.
With her undeniable passion and infectious enthusiasm, the Tampa Bay community will no doubt embrace her arrival with open arms.
Tampa Bay Business and Wealth was able to catch her for a meeting before the new school year kicked off, even as she was darting in between meetings. Her optimism was a delight.
Where are you originally from?
My birth certificate says Uniontown, Pennsylvania. But I was actually born in a car in Masontown, Pennsylvania because my parents didn’t make it to the hospital. My parents went to get my grandmother, who lived next door to a doctor – he came out and delivered me in the car! Then they drove to the hospital. I was almost named Carla. [Laughter] My mother’s favorite saying is, “You came out feet first and you’ve been running ever since.”
What did you want to be when you grew up?
At various points, I wanted to be a lawyer, a psychologist and a writer. In middle school, I was in Future Homemakers of America. I liked to sew. It wasn’t until my adult years that I realized I may have gravitated to sewing because it involves creating something from a logical process – similar to engineering.
Growing up, I took piano lessons. I had a very good piano teacher in high school who was also on the faculty at a small college. In my senior year of high school, she suggested being a music major. So, I pursued music therapy. It was a very new field at the time, and it appealed to me.
After a year, I transferred to the University of Pittsburgh and changed my major to engineering. When it was time to choose a second-year discipline, I chose electrical engineering because it seemed the most related to math.
Did you see a lot of mindset shift during the time when you started in higher education with STEM and the evolution of drawing more women to study those fields?
Absolutely, and I was part of that change. In 2005 I was the lead principal on a set of grants from the National Science Foundation to establish the Stars Computing Corps, which is intended to broaden participation of underrepresented groups in computing, within institutions of higher education.
We worked with over 50 colleges and universities across the country to build infrastructure and collaboration between universities, businesses and nonprofits to strengthen the K-12 pipeline that leads to college STEM majors.
You’re an East Coast girl who landed in Texas and now Florida. What drew you to Tampa?
I had experienced UNC Charlotte throughout a time when the university, and city, were growing in size and stature. I had experienced the same while at TCU, in Fort Worth. I appreciate the catalyst that a thriving city can have on its local universities – and vice versa. When I looked at the University of Tampa, and the Tampa Bay metroplex, I realized it would be another opportunity to work at a thriving university in a thriving region.
What are some of the best parts, so far, being here, meeting people and getting acquainted to this region?
The people are fabulous. And when I say the people, I mean the people on this campus, the people in Tampa and the people I’ve met in the whole Tampa Bay region. People want to meet me because they value the University of Tampa. My main priorities, right now, are listening and engaging.
It seems like you’re having fun too.
It is a lot of fun. Listening to people tell me what they like about Tampa, the city and the university, is gratifying. I’m enjoying getting to learn the campus, the people, the programs and the traditions. The University of Tampa has a distinctive sense of place. It combines the historic, the modern and the artistic.
The University of Tampa is on the precipice of true greatness. The Vaughn era brought us here. I’ve told Ron Vaughn that he’s going to go down in history as the most influential person on this campus. Not just the physical campus, but enrollment and the academic program. I aspire to build on that and make the value of a University of Tampa degree even more valuable.
The University of Tampa has a great sense of community. There are a lot of faculty, staff, students, alumni and community volunteers who help create, and curate, that sense of community. We’re a campus of innovation and continuous improvement.
What would you tell Tampa Bay business leaders if you could broadcast a message to them?
If you’re already involved I would say “thank you,” because our partners are what makes us unique and what makes us a premier educational experience. If you’re not involved, I would suggest visting the campus and hiring a student or graduate. You will not be disappointed.
What else should I have asked you about?
We’re opening a new program this fall called the Spartan Alliance. It’s a cohort of students from underserved schools in Tampa Bay. The students are given full scholarships for tuition, room and board, and also receive academic and social support. We’re taking high achieving students, who are mostly first generation in college, and giving them wraparound support. I love that it takes us full circle to our original mission, from 1931. ♦