The President of the University of North Florida[1] is preparing to return to the school where he was a dean before he took the job on the First Coast.
Moez Limayem sent an email to the UNF community announcing that he’s being considered as President of the University of South Florida[2]. It was only three years ago that Limayem was appointed President of UNF.
He got the job at the campus on the Southside of Jacksonville after an extended stint at the USF campus in Tampa. He was the Lynn Pippenger Dean of the Muma College of Business at USF[3] for 10 years before he took the top slot at UNF in 2022.
USF published a news release[4] Tuesday nearly simultaneously as Limayem made his intentions clear to the UNF community in his email.
“It is an honor for me to be considered for this role as ninth president of USF, where I spent 10 years,” Limayem said Tuesday in his message to UNF. “While this presidential selection news is significant, I continue to cherish every moment at UNF. Working alongside our exceptional faculty and staff, and witnessing our students’ growth, is incredibly fulfilling.”
USF officials said their Presidential Selection Committee came up with the recommendation that Limayem return to the Gulf Coast campus. Notably, he is the only one they recommended to the school’s Board of Trustees.
USF launched a search for a new President when Rhea Law announced in February that she’s retiring from the post. She agreed to stay on until a replacement is found.
“Our committee is proud to announce Dr. Moez Limayem as the sole finalist to become the ninth president in University of South Florida history,” said Mike Griffin, Chair of the Presidential Search Committee. “We conducted a thorough process that included reviewing an outstanding group of highly qualified candidates from across the nation before deciding that Moez is the best choice for our USF community.”
A series of public forums will take place on the USF campus before any final decision is made on Limayem and the school intends to publish a schedule within days.
There has been no word from UNF on what steps that school will take to replace Limayem.
Limayem said in the USF news release that he’s looking forward to returning to the Gulf Coast academic setting.
“The University of South Florida and the Tampa Bay region are special to my family and me,” Limayem said. “I have always enjoyed working with USF faculty, staff, students, alumni, supporters and the community’s business leaders and I am honored to be considered to lead this great university in its continued pursuit of excellence.”
After the USF Board of Trustees makes its decision on Limayem’s selection, he will still need confirmation from the Florida Board of Governors.
References
- ^ University of North Florida (www.unf.edu)
- ^ University of South Florida (www.usf.edu)
- ^ Muma College of Business at USF (www.usf.edu)
- ^ news release (www.usf.edu)