91tvӰԺ

President Rhea Law’s fall address celebrated many of 91tvӰԺ’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 91tvӰԺ 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.)

91tvӰԺ 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 91tvӰԺ and their priorities for their colleges.

With extensive experience as a 91tvӰԺ 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 91tvӰԺ – 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.

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 91tvӰԺ 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.

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 91tvӰԺ, what he expects from his team as both students and athletes, and the priority he places on having what he calls “a service heart.”

91tvӰԺ 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, 91tvӰԺ President Rhea Law talks with Barbara Snyder, president of the 71-member AAU, about why 91tvӰԺ was selected for membership, its significance for the university community and Tampa Bay region, and the central role of faculty in propelling 91tvӰԺ to this achievement.

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 91tvӰԺ. In this episode, President Rhea Law shares her perspective on 91tvӰԺ’s many successes and how they will impact faculty, staff and students.