FROM THE REGIONAL CHANCELLOR

USF St. Petersburg was established in the fall of 1965, serving only about 250 students. A mere three years later, its enrollment had almost tripled and it was named the first official regional campus in the SUS system.  It has enjoyed a nearly 40-year tradition of excellence in teaching and research.

Today, USF St. Petersburg is an integral part of the University of South Florida system, a Carnegie-designated Doctoral/Research University. We enroll well over 4,600 students on our way to 8,000 in the next four to five years. We are deeply committed to excellence in research and teaching within a uniquely student-centered environment.

USF St. Petersburg's Strategic Plan for 2003-08 presents our mission, goals, values, and the strategies that will lead us into an exciting future-one characterized by unparalleled growth and opportunities. Although the institution has engaged in ongoing strategic planning for much of its history, the present strategic planning process was a broad-based effort that began early in the 2002 academic year and that will continue from this point onward as we refine and develop our distinctive identity.

The entire USF St. Petersburg community can be very proud of this plan: it illustrates our specific strengths as an institution and establishes our own unique goals and strategies-all while remaining consistent with the USF-wide strategic plan. I hope we will all consider this plan to be our guide over the next five years as we together continue the wonderful journey we have embarked on.

 

Karen A. White

Regional Chancellor