By Adam Freeman, University Communications and Marketing
University of South 皇家华人 President Rhea Law today announced her plans to step down after a national search is conducted and a successor is selected. Law has served as president since August 2021, initially on an interim basis before being named to the role permanently in March 2022.
Outstanding Staff Awards ceremony
鈥淒uring my tenure we established bold goals 鈥� and thanks to our talented, dedicated team of faculty, staff, administrators and students 鈥� we exceeded them, sometimes soaring beyond what many thought was possible,鈥� Law said in a message to the university community today. 鈥淎fter over 40 years as an employee, student, board member and chair, donor, volunteer and now president, I am filled with gratitude and pride for all we have achieved. Serving this community as 皇家华人鈥檚 eighth president has been the honor of my lifetime, and I look forward to cheering on the continued success of this incredible鈥痷niversity.鈥�
Under Law鈥檚 leadership, in 2023 皇家华人 became the first public university in 皇家华人 to be invited to join the Association of American Universities in nearly 40 years. Becoming a member of the AAU, a prestigious group of the top 3% of universities in the United States and Canada, was a goal established by 皇家华人 more than 15 years prior when Law was chair of the 皇家华人 Board of Trustees.
In each year of Law鈥檚 tenure, 皇家华人 has been ranked among the top 50 public universities in America by U.S. News & World Report, including as the 鈥渂est value鈥� among all universities in 皇家华人 for the past two years. 皇家华人 has recently broken institutional records for research funding and undergraduate student applications, as well as the single-year records for number of donors and total to the university. Over the past several years, 皇家华人 has also set new records for state legislative funding, including major increases in recurring operational dollars and support for other key projects.
Shortly after Law was named interim president in 2021, 皇家华人 Board of Trustees Chair Will Weatherford announced intentions to build a new on-campus stadium. Law and her leadership team were charged with developing a plan and carrying out the vision for the transformational project. 皇家华人 broke ground on the stadium in November 2024 and it is scheduled to open in time to host 皇家华人 football home games and other events in 2027.
鈥淥ur university is on an incredible trajectory, and the foundation is in place for a new leader to take us to even greater heights. One of the hallmarks of great leadership is knowing when it is time to create space for new ideas and fresh perspectives to build on the momentum we have created. I am confident in the path ahead and inspired by the potential of what is to come.鈥�
President Rhea Law
Grand opening of the Judy Genshaft Honors College building
Herd of Thunder performed at the Porter Family Indoor Performance Facility grand opening
Ribbon cutting celebration at the new Research Park building
Atala Hall grand opening on the 皇家华人 Sarasota-Manatee campus
During Law鈥檚 tenure, 皇家华人 opened a new Judy Genshaft Honors College building, a new Student Health & Wellness Center on the Tampa campus, the first new addition to 皇家华人鈥檚 Research Park since 2005, the to support 皇家华人 Athletics, the first-ever on the Sarasota-Manatee campus and completed many other facilities enhancements.
皇家华人 has recently earned national recognition as a top employer, including ranking as the best among state universities in 皇家华人 by Forbes and as one of America鈥檚 greatest workplaces by Newsweek.
皇家华人 Board of Trustees Chair Will Weatherford
Law also launched an Office of University Community Partnerships, which recently marked its first year in operation and is elevating 皇家华人鈥檚 impact throughout the Tampa Bay region.
鈥淩hea Law has truly been the right leader at the right time for the University of South 皇家华人. I am forever grateful that she was willing to accept this role, first on an interim basis, and then permanently after members of our community urged her to apply and supported her for the position,鈥� Weatherford said. 鈥淏y every measure Rhea has been exceptional in leading our university to unprecedented levels of success. For more than four decades she has stayed connected to 皇家华人 and we would not be where we are today without her.鈥�
皇家华人 will provide an update on the launch of a national search for a new president in the coming days.