USF and NOAA to Launch World-Class Cooperative Ocean Mapping Center The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of Coast Survey recently awarded the USF College of Marine Science a five-year, $9 million cooperative agreement. This agreement establishes the center for Ocean Mapping and Innovative Technologies (COMIT) which will be housed at USF's St. Petersburg campus.  Senator Marco Rubio highlighted that “the new center, which will build on the unique expertise of USF as a leader in marine sciences nationally and globally, will benefit our state and advance our national leadership in ocean science.” It will also harness the longstanding partnerships in St. Petersburg that have made it the largest hub of marine science expertise in the southeastern United States. Congressman Charlie Christ said, "This partnership between NOAA and USF will build upon long existing cooperation between the agency and the university, and will take advantage of the vibrant marine science and innovation communities of the city of St. Petersburg."

USF Alumnus, Senator Joe Gruters Participates in USF Practical Politics Course

State Senator Joe Gruters (MBA 02'), who represents Sarasota and part of Charlotte counties, spoke to students enrolled in the Practical Politics course which is taught by Dr. Judithanne McLauchlan. Senator Gruters, who also serves as the Chair of the Republican Party of Florida, spoke to the class about the role of political parties in modern campaigns and elections. The Senator participated virtually along with Terrie Rizzo who is Chair for the Florida Democratic Party.  USF students were able to ask questions about the parties' candidate recruitment, voter registration efforts, vote by mail, staff, fundraising, platform and messaging, and more.

Successful USF Guaranteed Admissions Program Renewed with Eight State and Community Colleges

The University of South Florida (USF) and eight regional Florida College System (FCS) institutions announced the renewal of their partnership in the Fuse Guaranteed Admissions Program. Entering its fifth year, Fuse provides a seamless and timely degree path for FCS students enrolled in the program to transfer to USF. Students are guaranteed admission into specific majors at USF, provided they meet certain criteria such as earning an associate degree in less than three years and maintaining at least a 2.0 GPA. “The University of South Florida is proud to join our partners in the Florida College System to continue support of this important program,” USF President Steve Currall said. “The Fuse program provides students a critical pathway to graduation and supports our region and state by growing the pool of workforce talent.” Shortly after the Fuse program was announced, USF made another exciting announcement about the expansion of a current program to guarantee admission into USF to high-performing high school students from lower-income backgrounds.

USF College of Public Health hosts Mayor Jane Castor for a Town Hall on COVID-19

USF Health experts alongside Tampa Mayor Jane Castor held a panel regarding COVID-19. This roundtable was followed by a town-hall segment with a virtual Q&A segment from viewers. Moderated by USF College of Public Health disease ecology expert Lynn “Marty” Martin, PhD, and Art Woods, PhD, a biology professor from the University of Montana, the group discussed important topics such as successful models for containment, developments in vaccines, and overall lessons learned from COVID-19.

USF has been Recognized Statewide for Community Engagement and Supplier Diversity Initiatives

USF was awarded the “Doing Well While Doing Good Humanitarian Award” by the Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council. This award recognizes USF for support of its community such as free consultations provided by the Office of Supplier Diversity. Terrie Daniel, Assistant Vice President for Supplier Diversity at USF said that “this recognition and the impact and success that USF is experiencing are due to the efforts of a lot of very hard-working people who are committed to this initiative and we are excited that this hard work is being recognized.”

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