The University of South Florida Board of Trustees has unanimously selected Moez Limayem to serve as the institution's ninth president. Limayem, who is currently the president of the University of North Florida, has deep ties to USF, having previously served as the dean of its Muma College of Business for a decade.
His appointment is now pending confirmation by the Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the state's university system. The board is scheduled to consider the confirmation during its meeting on November 6.
Key Takeaways
- Dr. Moez Limayem was unanimously chosen by the USF Board of Trustees to be the next university president.
- Limayem is a familiar face at USF, having served as the Dean of the Muma College of Business for 10 years.
- He currently serves as the president of the University of North Florida (UNF), where he oversaw record enrollment and retention rates.
- The appointment requires final confirmation from the Florida Board of Governors in November.
A Return to a Familiar Campus
Dr. Limayem's selection marks a significant homecoming. Before leading UNF, he spent ten years as the Lynn Pippenger Dean of the Muma College of Business at USF. During his tenure, he was instrumental in transforming the college's profile and financial standing.
Under his leadership, the Muma College of Business raised more than $126 million in private donations. This fundraising effort included a landmark $25 million gift from Pam and Les Muma in 2014, which at the time was the largest single donation in the university's history. His work also focused on enhancing student career readiness, expanding internship programs, and developing talent pipelines with local businesses.
"I am honored and humbled to be unanimously selected by the USF Board of Trustees. Serving as USF president would be the greatest honor of my professional life," Limayem stated. "My family and I love USF and the Tampa Bay region, and I am thrilled by the prospect of returning home."
Vision for the Future
USF Board of Trustees Chair Will Weatherford highlighted Limayem's qualifications and alignment with the university's strategic goals. He emphasized Limayem's experience as a university president within Florida and his strong connections to the Tampa Bay community.
"Dr. Moez Limayem is an outstanding leader, who brings a unique combination of deep ties to the University of South Florida and Tampa Bay region, valuable experience as a university president in our state and a strong record of accomplishments," Weatherford said. He also noted Limayem's enthusiasm for USF Athletics and the planned on-campus stadium, calling it a transformational project.
The Path to Presidency
The presidential search process adhered to state law and regulations set by the Board of Governors. It involved gathering input from students, faculty, and community members, developing a detailed position profile, and conducting a thorough screening of candidates before the Board of Trustees made its final recommendation.
A Record of Success at UNF
During his three and a half years as president of the University of North Florida, Limayem achieved several significant milestones. His leadership saw the university welcome its largest-ever incoming class, which pushed overall enrollment to its highest point since the institution was founded in 1972.
UNF also set a new institutional record for its first-year student retention rate under his guidance. A key part of his strategy involved forging strong partnerships with community and corporate entities, which has paid dividends for graduates.
Under Dr. Limayem's leadership, the University of North Florida became No. 1 in Florida for the percentage of bachelor's degree graduates who find employment within the state.
His professional accomplishments have earned him numerous accolades. Florida Trend magazine named him one of the state's 500 most influential business leaders, and he was recognized as an "Ultimate CEO" by the Jacksonville Business Journal. He also received an award from the National Academy of Inventors for his contributions to innovation.
Academic and Personal Background
Before his leadership roles in Florida, Dr. Limayem served as the associate dean for research and graduate programs at the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas. He holds both an MBA and a doctorate from the University of Minnesota.
His wife, Alya, is a faculty member in biology at UNF and a distinguished researcher with multiple U.S. patents. Last year, she was named a Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors. The couple has two children.
As USF continues its ascent as a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), the board expressed confidence that Limayem's leadership will build on this momentum and further leverage the university's position in one of the nation's fastest-growing regions.