University of South Florida President Rhea Law says she plans to step down after a national search is conducted to select her successor.
Law, who has led USF since August 2021—first as interim president, before being appointed permanently, in March 2022—expressed gratitude for her tenure at the university.
“During my tenure we established bold goals — and thanks to our talented, dedicated team of faculty, staff, administrators and students — we exceeded them, sometimes soaring beyond what many thought was possible,” Law said in a message to the university community. “Serving this community as USF’s eighth president has been the honor of my lifetime and I look forward to cheering on the continued success of this incredible university.”
Law’s leadership has overseen significant milestones for USF. In 2023, the university became the first public institution in Florida, in nearly 40 years, to join the Association of American Universities, a group representing the top 3% of research universities in the United States and Canada. The achievement marked the culmination of a 15-year goal, set when Law was chair of the USF Board of Trustees.
One of the most visible initiatives of her presidency is the construction of a new on-campus stadium, announced shortly after she was named interim president, in 2021. USF broke ground on the project in November 2024, with the stadium set to open in 2027.
Law said the timing of her departure aligns with her initial goal when she was first appointed—ensuring a smooth transition for the next president to build upon the university’s momentum.
“Our university is on an incredible trajectory and the foundation is in place for a new leader to take us to even greater heights,” she said. “One of the hallmarks of great leadership is knowing when it is time to create space for new ideas and fresh perspectives.”
The university is expected to announce details about the national search for its next president in the coming days.