Meet the Staff
Administrative Support
Amber Thomas (Tampa campus)
Title: Executive Administrative Specialist to Dean Ruth Bahr
Phone: (813) 396-0344
Email: amberthomas2@usf.edu
Meet Amber, a highly skilled and experienced executive assistant based in Florida. With a proven track record of success, she has honed her abilities to manage complex tasks, streamline processes, and provide exceptional support to executives and their teams. Her deep roots in the community make her a trusted and respected figure among colleagues and peers alike.
Beyond her work as an executive assistant, Amber is an avid supporter of education and a champion of diversity and inclusion. In her free time, she volunteers with local organizations and lends her time and expertise to causes she is passionate about.
Stephanie Harper, Ph.D.
Title: Assistant Director, ETD & Writing Services
Email: stephanieha@usf.edu
Dr. Stephanie Harper is the Assistant Director of ETD and Writing Services in the Office of Graduate Studies. She joined OGS full-time in 2024 after working as the ETD Administrative Specialist for several years. Dr. Harper holds a BA in Fine Arts and earned her Ph.D. in English Literature at USF. She has over 10 years of editing, writing center, and writing instruction experience and helps graduate students align their manuscripts with USF’s institutional guidelines for thesis/dissertation publication.
Responsible for managing electronic thesis/dissertation (ETD) operations and processes, Dr. Harper develops and presents workshops on ETD processes, procedures, and formatting guidelines that assist students with the process. She also develops, organizes, and facilitates writing workshops and work groups relevant to graduate-level writing with a focus on collaborative discussion and practical application of strategies. She is available for one-on-one consultations on ETD formatting and sustainable writing strategies.
Gianna Taravella (Tampa campus)
Title: Web Content Administrator
Email: gtaravella@usf.edu
Gianna Taravella is the Web Content Administrator for the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS). Her work at USF includes management and branding of the OGS website and social media outlets, as well as direct involvement in graduate student support services. A Tampa native, she joined OGS after working in student administration and client-based marketing agencies. She received her B.A. in Communication and B.A. Advertising and Public Relations from The University of Tampa. Fun fact: Gianna is a former instructor and performer in Tampa Bay.