Dear USF College of Education Community,
During the past few months USF has been deeply engaged in conversations about how
to best align our precious financial resources with our strategic aspirations as a
university. Of particular interest have been conversations about the future of the
College of Education, and we have been greatly impressed by the level of support for
maintaining a strong presence for the college now and into the future.
As you know, these conversations have included a series of meetings with our regional superintendents: Addison Davis of Hillsborough County, Kurt Browning of Pasco County, Mike Grego of Pinellas County, Jacqueline Byrd of Polk County, Brennan Asplen of Sarasota County, and Cynthia Saunders of Manatee County. These conversations have been extremely productive and collaborative.
As a result of these deliberations and your valuable input, we are pleased to announce that our latest plans will retain the College of Education within an autonomous college structure. We will also retain our most high-demand undergraduate education programs, and we will accelerate our national search for a permanent Dean of the College of Education. We will do this while meeting our fiscal responsibilities and maintaining our commitment to student access and success. This direction has the full support of USF leadership.
Our proposal, as well as the other thoughtful, strategic realignment plans from all
USF colleges and units, will be presented to the USF Board of Trustees at its workshop
on Friday, Jan. 8 at 2 p.m. I encourage you to watch the workshop at www.usf.edu/board-of-trustees/meetings.
As our deliberations proceed, we will continue to refine the educational offerings
provided by the college, including a focused array of bachelor's degrees leading to
teacher certification. We will offer these programs while strengthening the College's
focus on educational research, ensuring that USF remains at the forefront of innovative
teaching strategies. We will also continue to build our graduate programs for tomorrow's
educational professionals and leaders.
Meanwhile, we will do our part to secure USF’s financial future. We will continue
to work together and with USF leadership to make necessary, but difficult decisions
to streamline our operations while maintaining our focus on student success, research
and service to our community, and especially our Pre-K through 12 partners.
Thank you to our faculty, students, parents, alumni, regional superintendents, legislative
advocates and other partners for your passionate engagement in this process and the
many hours of conversations that have brought us to this point. We would also like
to thank USF President Steve Currall and the USF Board of Trustees for their continued
leadership and guidance as we work to address our budgetary targets.
Financial reduction decisions are never easy, and this year especially has brought
complexities and challenges unlike anything we have ever experienced. Through this
process, we have listened, and we have learned. As we continue to make responsible
decisions in the months to come, we need the support and trust of our community. Together,
we can emerge from this challenge stronger and more connected than ever.
Sincerely,
Judith Ponticell
Interim Dean
USF College of Education
Ralph Wilcox
Provost
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