02/19/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/19/2026 15:41
Moez Limayem officially began his tenure as USF's ninth president with a day spent engaging with the university community. He participated in his first Board of Trustees committee meeting, met with students, faculty and staff, offered remarks at the annual State of the Region community luncheon - an event he co-founded with the Tampa Bay Partnership during his time as dean of the Muma College of Business. Limayem also met with members of the media - emphasizing his excitement for the university's future and the opportunities ahead for USF.
"I cannot tell you how excited, honored and energized I am for this incredible moment. I am ready to hit the ground listening and to work with everyone so that together we can write the next chapter of this great university."
USF President Moez Limayem
Limayem also toured the on-campus stadium construction site and the Porter Family Indoor Performance Facility. Other activities include visiting the St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee campuses, touring USF Health downtown, attending the USF men's basketball game vs. Memphis and meeting with faculty leaders.
Moez Limayem attended his first virtual Board of Trustees meeting as president
Limayem shared his excitement to work closely with the board and campus community
Limayem offered remarks during the annual State of the Region community luncheon
He was greeted by philanthropists Pam and Les Muma
Limayem met with students at the Marshall Student Center on the USF Tampa campus
Limayem toured the on-campus stadium construction site
USF CEO of Athletics Rob Higgins provides a stadium update to Limayem
(L-R) USF head football coach Brian Hartline, Rob Higgins, CEO of USF Athletics, President Moez Limayem and Jay Stroman, senior vice president of Advancement & Alumni Affairs and USF Foundation CEO, visit the Porter Family Indoor Performance Facility
Limayem met with USF faculty members
Limayem and Faculty Senate President David Simmons
Limayem took a tour of the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus [Photo by Khalil Garcia, University Communications and Marketing]
He visited with students and played ping-pong [Photo by Khalil Garcia, University Communications and Marketing]