#SPx Podcast EP 87: Judy Genshaft - University of South Florida 12-15-22

Judy Genshaft was President of the University of South Florida for nearly two decades, from 2000 to 2019, overseeing the most transformative change in the university’s history. Enrollment grew by 40 percent; the four-year graduation rate tripled. USF’s endowment jumped from $254 million to $480 million. And most significantly, USF's research activity has tripled to more than $568 million in expenditures, it’s now one of the top 25 public universities for research. Today, USF ranks as the country's fifth leading public university in generating new U.S. utility patents. It is also the state's third preeminent university. Recently, the Board of Trustees voted to re-name the Student Life Building, on the campus of USF St. Petersburg, in honor of the former president. “There’s going to be a big celebration,” she says in this interview, as soon as current renovations to the site are complete. Genshaft, who retired because “it’s time to leave when you’re on the top,” discusses her tenure, and what her accomplishments meant to the college, and to the community, and to her, personally. “Having a passion for what you do really allows you to go through the ups and downs of careers and life. Not everything’s going to be joyous all the time … but having a passion, it’s not a job, it becomes your career, and your love. And afterwards, you can continue on making life better for everybody.” #usf #judygenshaft #stpetecatalyst #tampa #stpete #stpetefl #tampabay #radio #radiostpete