Overview
Welcome to “Inside USF: The Podcast,” created especially for ÉîŇąż´Ć¬ faculty, staff and alumni. We know you’re busy – so busy, in fact, that it can be hard to find the time to learn about the important work taking place across our three campuses. We’re here to help. We’ll talk with a member of the faculty or staff about their expertise and their contributions, including in ground-breaking research, inspiring community service efforts, the arts, athletics and much more. You’ll meet members of the faculty and staff who, like you, are helping USF make an impact as a fast-rising urban research university.
Where to Listen
You can find us on the following services. Be sure to subscribe!
Season 3 | Episode 7
Dr. Sten Vermund brings decades of infectious disease epidemiology and prevention experience to the USF Health College of Public Health, which he will lead beginning in January. He also is the president of the Global Virus Network, which recently relocated its international headquarters to USF. In this episode, Vermund shares his perspective on a variety of topics, including what attracted him to public health and to USF, his plans to continue building the college’s reputation, opportunities to grow the college’s partnerships throughout the Tampa Bay region, public health issues that keep him awake at night, and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additional resources:
Season 3 | Episode 6
President Rhea Law’s fall address celebrated many of USF’s recent accomplishments – including student success, record research funding and a growing national reputation – that are advancing the university into a bold new era. She also shared priorities for this year that are designed to position USF for the future. Following the address, she sat down to discuss those priorities — including enhancing and expanding community partnerships and opportunities to grow the research enterprise — in greater detail. (The conversation begins at the 1:05 mark in the recording.)
Additional resources:
Season 3 | Episode 5
USF opens the 2024-25 academic year with two new deans: David Blackwell, the Lynn Pippenger Dean of the Muma College of Business, and Elizabeth Spiller, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. In this episode, we learn about their backgrounds (spoiler alert: Blackwell struggled in his initial attempt at college as a first-generation student, Spiller wanted to be a corporate tax attorney), what attracted them to USF and their priorities for their colleges.
Additional resources:
Season 3 | Episode 4 - listen to a preview
With extensive experience as a USF faculty member and administrator, Eric Eisenberg knows the university’s many resources can help elevate the Tampa Bay region. He also recognizes that potential partners may not know how to find help at USF – whether it’s hiring interns and new graduates, enhancing neighborhoods, exploring joint research projects or addressing other needs. In this episode, Eisenberg, senior vice president of university community partnerships, discusses efforts to make that process as seamless as possible and how faculty can get involved with his office.
Additional content:
Season 3 | Episode 4
Central Human Resources is in the midst of implementing several significant changes, including Embedded Services and Project Drive. In this episode, Angie Sklenka, senior vice president and chief human resources and administrative officer, details what they will mean for USF faculty and staff. She and Alexis Mootoo, who was recently named associate vice president for employee experience, also discuss the creation of the Employee Experience Team and how it will work to enhance workplace culture.
Additional resources:
Season 3 | Episode 3 - listen to a preview
Amir Abdur-Rahim has been the competitive sort since an early age – that was a necessity growing up in a family with 13 children. He brings that competitive fire, and a commitment to building a men’s basketball program that will be “tough, together and connected,” as he begins his inaugural season this month as the Bulls’ head coach. In this episode, Abdur-Rahim discusses what attracted him to USF, what he expects from his team as both students and athletes, and the priority he places on having what he calls “a service heart.”
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Season 3 | Episode 2 - listen to a preview
USF achieved a historic milestone over the summer: An invitation to join Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Stanford, the University of Florida and other elite research institutions as a member of the Association of American Universities. In this special episode, USF President Rhea Law talks with Barbara Snyder, president of the 71-member AAU, about why USF was selected for membership, its significance for the university community and Tampa Bay region, and the central role of faculty in propelling USF to this achievement.
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Season 3 | Episode 1 - listen to a preview
From the invitation to join the prestigious Association of American Universities, to a new state budget that represents the largest operational funding increase in our university’s history, this has been an extraordinary summer for USF. In this episode, President Rhea Law shares her perspective on USF’s many successes and how they will impact faculty, staff and students.
THANKS
Thanks to the ÉîŇąż´Ć¬ School of Music for providing "March Victorious," which in addition to the podcast, can be heard during USF football games and other university events. It was composed by the first director of athletic bands, Sid Haton.
CAPTIONING AND TRANSCRIPTS
To view captions on an episode while listening above, use Google Chrome and follow these steps:
- In the top toolbar, click "Chrome" and select "Preferences"
- Click "Advanced" in the left side bar to expand the menu
- Click "Accessibility"
- Turn on "Live Caption"
- Close the settings tab and click play on the desired episode
For transcripts, please email twoolf@usf.edu and indicate the episode you are requesting.
HAVE AN IDEA FOR A FUTURE EPISODE?
We welcome your suggestions for colleagues we should interview, or topics we should explore, in future episodes. Share them by filling out our . Here are some general ideas about what we’re interested in:
- Groundbreaking research
- Unique programs/initiatives
- Efforts that make a positive difference for others
- University-wide initiatives
- USF-community partnerships
CAN'T GET ENOUGH?
Listen to past episodes from Seasons 1 and 2.