The University of South Florida (USF) has named Moez Limayem, president of the University of North Florida, as the sole finalist to serve as its next president. His selection will be considered by the USF Board of Trustees and is subject to confirmation by the Florida Board of Governors.
Limayem previously led USF’s Muma College of Business for 10 years before becoming UNF’s president in 2022. At UNF, he oversaw record enrollment, higher first-year retention, and an expansion of corporate partnerships. The school is currently ranked first in the state for the percentage of bachelor’s graduates employed in Florida.
“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 USF’s 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. He brings a strong track record of presidential success in Florida in his current role, and we experienced the impact of his leadership firsthand when he led our Muma College of Business.”
The university says that while at USF, Limayem helped raise more than $126 million for the business college, including a $25 million donation from Pam and Les Muma that was the largest individual gift in the university’s history at the time.
Limayem is scheduled to visit USF for public forums before trustees vote on the appointment. If approved, he would become the university’s ninth president.
University of South Florida President Rhea Law announced earlier this year that she would step down from the position. Law, who assumed the role in August 2021 on an interim basis before being appointed permanently in March 2022, said she will remain in her position until a new leader is selected.