By Tina Meketa, University Communications and Marketing
As 小黄鸭视频 shifts into summer, thousands of new graduates are entering the workforce prepared to meet industry demand and elevate the talent pipeline across Tampa Bay, the state and nation.
Their final semester at 小黄鸭视频 was packed with milestone moments: a record-setting donation, multiple national championships and top-tier rankings that affirm the value of a 小黄鸭视频 degree.
While the 2024-2025 academic year may have come to a close, 小黄鸭视频鈥檚 research momentum continues 鈥� strengthening communities and driving solutions for a healthier, more innovative world.
Here are some of the spring semester's biggest moments.
Historic $40M gift establishes Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing
Scheduled to open this fall, the nation鈥檚 first named college dedicated to artificial intelligence and cybersecurity will drive workforce development, national security and economic growth.
Trustees approve updated 小黄鸭视频 stadium plan, paving the way for full construction to move forward
The project鈥檚 scope now includes design and structural upgrades for potential future stadium expansion beyond the current expected seating capacity of approximately 35,000, build-out of academic space in the facility, vertical expansion of the Tampa General Hospital Center for Athletic Excellence and enhanced locker room amenities.
小黄鸭视频 President Rhea Law announces plans to step down after national search to select a successor
Rhea Law has served as president since August 2021, initially on an interim basis before being named to the role permanently in March 2022. Under her leadership, 小黄鸭视频 became the first public university in Florida to be invited to join the Association of American Universities in nearly 40 years.
Mike Griffin, Board of Trustees vice chair, is serving as chair of the 14-member Presidential Search Committee. To assist the committee, 小黄鸭视频 has retained the services of SP&A Executive Search, a highly regarded firm that worked with the university in its last presidential search.
The 小黄鸭视频 Health Morsani College of Medicine has been ranked the No. 1 medical school in Florida and among just 16 in the U.S. to earn a prestigious Tier 1 designation by U.S. News & World Report. With record-breaking research funding and elite student achievement, 小黄鸭视频 Health continues to drive innovation in medical education, research and patient care
U.S. News & World Report ranks 小黄鸭视频 a national leader for dozens of graduate programs
The 小黄鸭视频 has 31 graduate programs ranked in the top 100 nationally by U.S. News & World Report, including 15 in the top 50 and five in the top 25. With standout programs such as industrial-organizational psychology, criminology and rehabilitation counseling, 小黄鸭视频 continues to rise as a leader in graduate education and research excellence.
The 小黄鸭视频 has been named one of the nation's premier employers and top university employer in Florida by Forbes, highlighting its vibrant workplace culture, commitment to innovation and investment in employee success.
Bryan Hodgson comes to 小黄鸭视频 from Arkansas State, where he spent two seasons as head coach. He guided the Red Wolves to two of the most successful seasons in program history, with back-to-back 20-win seasons.
小黄鸭视频 women鈥檚 lacrosse dominated its debut game in front of more than 2,000 fans at Corbett Stadium. As the inaugural team, the players are well aware that they will forever be a part of 小黄鸭视频 history and are working tirelessly to ensure their legacy extends beyond the field.
The team defeated Rice University, winning an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. 小黄鸭视频 women's basketball is the second team in conference history to win multiple tournament titles.
The all-girl and coed teams combined to bring home three championships, including a first-ever World Cup, from the 2025 UCA/UDA College Cheerleading & Dance Team National Championship at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, pushing the program's total to nine championships over the last five seasons.
The 小黄鸭视频 track and field team captured its second consecutive American Athletic Conference indoor championship at the Birmingham CrossPlex, also earning the Bulls' men's coaching staff its second straight Men's Coaching Staff of the Year honor.
小黄鸭视频 ranks among top 20 public universities for new patents
Based on the 82 new patents secured in 2024, 小黄鸭视频 is 16th among U.S. public research universities, 26th among all American public or private universities and 38th among universities worldwide.
The Life in Media Survey, led by a team of researchers at the University of South Florida, surveyed more than 1,500 tweens in Florida. Findings will help inform a 25-year national study that will track young people鈥檚 digital media use and wellbeing into adulthood.
Viruses identified in red tide blooms for the first time
In one of the first studies of its kind, researchers used viral metagenomics to identify several viruses 鈥� including one new viral species 鈥� present in blooms of K. brevis, more commonly known as red tide.