News Summary
Moez Limayem, the current president of the University of North Florida, is the sole finalist for the presidency of the University of South Florida. His appointment is pending final approval from the Board of Governors. Limayem has made significant strides at UNF, including record enrollment and new campus initiatives aimed at improving facilities and increasing student capacity. Public forums will be held at USF prior to a final decision on his candidacy.
Tampa, FL – Moez Limayem, the President of the University of North Florida (UNF), is the sole finalist for the presidency of the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa. Limayem’s candidacy was communicated to the UNF faculty and students via a campus-wide email sent on September 30. In his message, he expressed that it is an honor to be considered for the position of the ninth president of USF. The selection process for the USF presidency is currently ongoing and may take several months.
The final decision regarding Limayem’s appointment still requires approval from the state university system’s Board of Governors. As the selection process unfolds, Limayem remains the president of UNF. Throughout his presidency at UNF, Limayem has focused on increasing enrollment and improving the institution’s academic standing.
Progress at UNF During Limayem’s Leadership
Since taking on leadership at UNF in 2022, Limayem has prioritized several initiatives aimed at enhancing the university experience. He mentioned that attendees should anticipate significant changes in the university in the coming months or years at an event in July. Under his leadership, UNF has initiated multiple construction projects designed to expand and modernize its campus.
In June, the Board of Governors approved UNF’s building plans, which aim to increase campus capacity to accommodate 40% more students by 2030. Recent developments include the opening of new housing for the honors college and plans for a four-building residence complex intended to house an additional 700 students. UNF is also expanding its classroom facilities, with a planned 21,600-square-foot addition to the Coggin College of Business and a $40 million student services and academic building.
Limayem’s Impact on Enrollment
Under Limayem’s leadership, UNF has seen record enrollment numbers, reaching approximately 17,600 students, making it the largest in the university’s history since its inception in 1972. USF’s presidential search committee has expressed confidence in Limayem as the right candidate to lead USF to greater heights.
Next Steps in the Selection Process
If Limayem is appointed to USF, it would create a vacancy at UNF; however, no plans for a replacement have been disclosed as of now. A spokesperson for UNF reassured that Limayem remains dedicated to his current role while the university continues to pursue its goals of growth in academics and community engagement.
Public forums for Limayem are scheduled on USF campuses prior to the Board of Trustees making a final decision on his candidacy. Additionally, the Florida Board of Governors is required to confirm any selection following the Board of Trustees’ decision. The current President of USF, Rhea Law, has indicated that she will remain in her position until a new leader is appointed.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- St. Pete Catalyst
- Jacksonville.com
- Florida Politics
- USF Oracle
- The Capitolist
- Wikipedia: University of South Florida
- Google Search: Moez Limayem
- Google Scholar: Moez Limayem
- Encyclopedia Britannica: University of South Florida
- Google News: Moez Limayem
Author: STAFF HERE TAMPA WRITER
The TAMPA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETampa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tampa, Hillsborough County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Gasparilla Pirate Festival, Florida State Fair, and Tampa Riverfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce and United Way Suncoast, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and technology that power the local economy such as BayCare Health System, Grow Financial Federal Credit Union, and KnowBe4. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERESTPetersburg.com, and HERETallahassee.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
