university of south florida tour dates

Sarasota-Manatee Campus

Sarasota-Manatee campus tours are designed to help students gain an appreciation for the culture of the campus and local community, and help prospective students see why Sarasota-Manatee students choose to receive a preeminent education in a small school atmosphere. Guests take a guided tour of our campus: walking our halls, stepping into the classrooms, and laying beneath the pines in one of our hammocks. The tours are conducted by our Campus Experience guides who share the history and statistics of the campus, while helping flesh out the experience through their unique student lens.

Prior to the tour, students will receive an information session from an admissions counselor. This presentation will help to set the context for the tour, explain the programs and opportunities available on campus, and explain the application and scholarship process.

Tours typically last between 30 to 45 minutes, and are offered Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays at 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.  Tour schedules may change during summer semesters and holiday hours.

To schedule a Sarasota-Manatee campus tour, please register at https://www.sarasotamanatee.usf.edu/admissions/visit-usf-sarasota-manatee.aspx .  If you have questions about the tour or other visit opportunities, such as Open Houses, please contact the Campus Experience team at 941-359-4331.

Please note that Internet Explorer is incompatible with this site.

We recommend upgrading to the latest Microsoft Edge , Google Chrome , or Firefox .

• Patient Care

Shared Student Services

Quick links, usf health tours, usf health tour program, visit usf health.

Click here to watch a short video introducing USF Health before your tour!

USF Health Tour Dates & Times

Join us for an in-person tour of the USF Health campus and learn more about our programs, facilities, and the Tampa Bay area! Future tour dates will be added in fall 2022, check back soon to view the available options!

Register for a USF In-Person Tour!  

If you require accommodations or have questions, please contact the Office of Preadmissions and Outreach. 

Hear the Herd: Unmasking the USF Health Student Experience

Listen to our current students as they discuss their academic programs, student involvement, and the culture at USF Health.

To view recordings of past panels, as well as access other information for prospective students, please  visit our Digital Resource Library.

USF Office of Admissions Campus Tours

Are you interested in a tour of the USF Tampa, St. Petersburg, or Sarasota campuses? Visit the Office of Admissions Campus Visit webpage to register for a tour and learn more about the USF system!

USF Campus Visits

USF Health Office of Preadmissions and Outreach

Contact the office at:

[email protected]

University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee

Main navigation, about the usf sarasota-manatee campus, visit campus.

The USF Sarasota-Manatee campus offers different types of visit opportunities to fit your needs. From Campus Tours and Open Houses to virtual experiences, find it all at the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus.

Emergency -

Emergency - type of emergency goes here.

DATE/TIME GOES HERE

EMERGENCY TEXT GOES HERE

ALERT: Your text goes here. More details...

University of South Florida

Main navigation, university of south florida home.

AAU membership brings extraordinary benefits

The historic invitation provides new federal funding opportunities for USF research, strengthens our role in meeting workforce demands and attracts the brightest faculty, staff and students to Tampa Bay.

Learn more about AAU benefits 

USF Features

USF to confer more than 7,000 degrees during spring commencement ceremonies

Graduates in the May 2-5 ceremonies include a brain cancer survivor, a 17-year-old student of Ukrainian heritage and a third-generation USF student.

Philanthropy

Giving Week 2024 breaks all campaign records

Alumni and friends came together to champion a wide variety of programs, from student scholarships to food pantry support. Of the record-setting 9,259 Giving Week donors, 1,408 gave to the university for the first time. The overall total included a 70% increase in alumni donors from the previous year.

Brain injuries in U.S. Special Operations Forces aren’t easy to detect, USF helping develop a solution

Through its partnership with U.S. Special Operations Command, the USF Institute of Applied Engineering has co-led an illuminating study that found repeated exposure to low-level blasts is associated with signs of brain injury in Special Operations Forces. Such exposure is common throughout many military careers, including in training and operational environments.

We are One USF

• Tampa Campus 
• St. Petersburg Campus 
• Sarasota-Manatee Campus 
• About USF 

USF joins AAU

USF’s historic invitation to join the Association of American Universities has taken what many in Tampa Bay have once considered a “best-kept secret” to an unprecedented new level. Joining the AAU is a tremendous milestone for USF as it formalizes USF's position as a leading research university. USF is the first public university in Florida to be invited to join the AAU in nearly 40 years and is now one of only two institutions from the State University System of Florida to serve as an AAU member.

Read more about USF's AAU invitation 

USF News & Events

USF’s partnership with ReliaQuest helps fill crucial cybersecurity jobs

The ReliaQuest Labs program has graduated more than 300 USF students and has proven to be a solid pathway to a career in cybersecurity.

Number of National Merit Scholars at USF grows exponentially

A scholarship, support services and a sense of community are attracting the highest echelon of high school seniors to study at USF.

More News 

USF Calendar

• More Events 
• Registrar Dates and Deadlines 
• Student Events Calendar 

• Life & Culture

A Taylor Swift course is coming to USF Tampa

• Gabrielle Calise Times staff

Miss Americana? More like Miss Academia.

Taylor Swift has inspired yet another college course in Florida. This time, it’s an English elective at the University of South Florida’s Tampa campus.

According to The Oracle, USF Tampa’s student newspaper, English teachers Jessica Cook, Emily Jones and Michelle Taylor will team up to offer three Swift-themed fall sections of LIT 3301: Cultural Studies and the Popular Arts.

Past versions of the elective have been focused on topics like Harry Potter, The Oracle wrote on Monday. This time, students will gather twice a week for discussions on Swift’s impact and lectures comparing her music to Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson and Lord Byron.

The university’s course inventory describes the class as, “A study of American and international cultures as they are represented in the film, fiction, and other cultural artifacts of various ethnic groups and nationalities” and thats that the class “focuses on values/ethics, race, ethnicity and gender; thinking and writing skills.” The Oracle reported that students from any major can enroll as long as they have completed English Composition 1 and 2.

The news comes a year after Swift enchanted Tampa during three sold-out Eras Tour concerts at Raymond James Stadium , and just days before the release Swift’s newest album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” on Friday. Track 8 will be a song titled “Florida!!!” featuring Florence + The Machine.

USF isn’t the first Florida university to use Swift and her music for educational purposes, according to the Miami Herald. The University of Miami in Coral Gables offered a strategic communication class called Mastermind Taylor Swift Brand, as well as a seven-week intensive called Intellectual Property Law Through the Lens of Taylor Swift through its school of law. This spring at the University of Florida, all fifteen spots of the one-credit class Musical Storytelling with Taylor Swift and Other Iconic Female Artists filled up within 10 seconds, the Independent Florida Alligator reported.

Should seats in the class disappear as fast as Swift concert seats on Ticketmaster, students have another option. USF also has a club called the Taylor Swift Society.

Gabrielle Calise is a culture reporter who covers music, nostalgia and offbeat Florida trends. Reach her at [email protected].

MORE FOR YOU

• Advertisement

ONLY AVAILABLE FOR SUBSCRIBERS

The Tampa Bay Times e-Newspaper is a digital replica of the printed paper seven days a week that is available to read on desktop, mobile, and our app for subscribers only. To enjoy the e-Newspaper every day, please subscribe.

Transcript with Alli on 10/15/2021, 3:17:10 PM

Campus tours.

The University of Florida Office of Admissions offers campus tours for prospective students and their guests at the Welcome Center which is located at 1900 Museum Road, Gainesville, FL 32611. Campus tours include a 30-minute admissions information session and a 90-minute walking tour led by current students.

You may try to find parking in the Welcome Center garage, located at 737 Reitz Union Drive, Gainesville, FL 32611.  Please find the parking attendant in the Welcome Center garage for assistance as he tries to hold spaces for our visitors.  If there are no available spots in the Welcome Center parking garage, overflow visitor parking may be found in Garage 5 located at 1108 Gale Lemerand Drive, Gainesville, FL 32611. There is an $8.00 charge for all-day parking in both garages. Note that if you are parking in Garage 5, it is about a 10-15 minute walk to the Welcome Center. Please plan accordingly. (Directions to the Welcome Center from Garage 5: turn left when exiting the garage to go north on Gale Lemerand. Turn right on Museum Road and walk about a block. The Welcome Center will be on your left.)

Accommodations

If needed, we can provide non-motorized wheelchairs or a sign language interpreter. If you need one of these accommodations, contact the Welcome Center at 352-392-2959 at least one week before your visit.

Registration at capacity?

If you are unable to register for a guided tour, please sign up for the wait list by clicking your preferred date or check out our self-guided tour . Registration spaces will become available periodically due to cancellations, so you can check back to see if space has opened up on your preferred visit date.

This page has moved.

For tours on or after November 1, 2023, visit our updated registration page .

Experience University of South Florida, St. Petersburg Campus

Virtually explore University of South Florida, St. Petersburg Campus in a fully immersive 360-degree experience.

Aria doesn't work without JavaScript.

Need to know how to enable it? Go here.

Taylor Swift course coming to University of South Florida

T he University of South Florida may not have a Tortured Poets Department , but it will offer a course this fall studying the work of Taylor Swift.

State of play: The course is officially styled LIT3301: Cultural Studies and Popular Art, according to The Oracle , USF's student-run publication.

• It arose from a conversation between three English professors who were probing the lyrics of "Begin Again" from Swift's album "Red," The Oracle reported.

What they're saying: "We realized after we'd been talking for a few minutes, that this is the kind of thing our students do," professor Emily Jones told the student newspaper. "We could teach a course on this."

The latest: Swift on Friday released her 11th studio album, "The Tortured Poets Department." She surprised fans with a 31-track double album, giving instructors and students plenty to talk about.

The big picture: USF isn't the only college to offer a study in Swift.

• The University of Florida , University of Miami and Brigham Young University are among schools that have offered courses studying various aspects of Swift's music and business savvy.
• And Harvard is prepping a Swift-focused English class for next spring.

Get the rundown of the biggest stories of the day with Axios Daily Essentials.

Big achievements. Bold goals. Boundless futures.

• USF Campuses

Three Campuses — One USF

Each USF campus offers a one-of-a-kind college experience – all under the umbrella of a single Preeminent Research University.

Learn more about each campus below

If you crave the thrill of a large metropolitan university with endless events and activities, consider our sprawling Tampa campus.

St. Petersburg

Is a culturally rich waterfront city more your scene? You might be a natural for the stunning St. Petersburg campus.

Sarasota-Manatee

Prefer a tight-knit community where your professors know you by name? Find that hometown feel on the Sarasota-Manatee campus.

Three Campuses | One USF

Tampa Campus

Sprawling campus.

Packed with all the student amenities and resources of a large university, the Tampa campus is also just a short drive from downtown, historic Ybor City, theme parks and more.

Diverse Student Body

The culturally diverse students at the Tampa campus hail from more than 140 countries around the world.

Expansive Activities

The Tampa campus offers more than 600 clubs and organizations, 17 varsity sports, a thriving arts scene and frequent campus events, including concerts, comedy shows, lecture series and more.

Interdisciplinary Research

As early as freshman year, you can connect with a faculty mentor and join in cutting-edge, hands-on research.

St. Petersburg Campus

Downtown campus.

Located on beautiful Bayboro Harbor, the St. Petersburg campus is in the heart of the vibrant Innovation District of the City of St. Petersburg and within walking distance to cultural attractions, restaurants and concert venues.

Exciting New Dining and Residence Options

A new 375-bed residence hall with a full-service dining hall opened in July 2020, increasing on-campus housing by nearly 70 percent.

Outdoor Recreation

Take advantage of our stunning scenery with basketball, sand volleyball and an outdoor pool, or hit the water between classes on a kayak, canoe, paddle board or sailboat.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

As early as your freshmen year, you’ll have the opportunity work alongside professors on innovative research or pursue your own projects through experiential learning.

Sarasota-Manatee Campus

Experiential learning.

Learn at the world-renowned Mote Marine Laboratory and the Culinary Innovation Lab, a fully equipped teaching center for students in the Hospitality Management program.

Flexible Study Options

Full-time, part-time, online and on-campus class options are designed to fit your schedule.

Small Classes

With the lowest student-faculty ratio of all USF campuses, you get more personalized academic support.

On-Campus Activities

Explore a variety of clubs and organizations, plus student recreation, such as a fitness center, yoga and more. 

Student Life

Don’t just earn a degree. make incredible memories along the way., discover why graduate students choose usf.

From our stunning campus locations and amenities to our diverse culture and exceptional resources, you’ll discover numerous reasons graduate students love calling USF home. With the academic and support opportunities available, you’ll benefit today when you start your degree program and tomorrow when you step into your career.

Get a Head Start Outside the Classroom

Our metropolitan region boasts a strong business climate anchored by multiple Fortune 500 companies and innovative startups. Whether you're looking for internships, employment or career connections, our dynamic location offers a natural advantage.

Find Your Fit

At USF, we emphasize a balanced approach to your education that doesn’t end with academics. Stay physically active with award-winning recreation centers, swimming pools, fitness classes, watersports and more. We feature on-campus medical clinics and counseling services to keep you healthy inside and out. Plus, we feature numerous other services, such as career counseling, tutoring and financial education, to ensure you finish your degree ready to take the next big step.

Choose Excitement — Choose USF

Your average day at USF is anything but average. Across our three locations, you’ll enjoy 1,000+ on-campus events each year, from concerts and celebrity guest lectures to movies and art exhibits. This includes special cultural events where we come together to celebrate USF's global diversity and learn about our rich student body made up of students from across the world. All USF students also receive free admission to 18 men’s and women’s varsity sports, including football.

See more student life highlights at each campus:

Discoveries happen all the time at usf. will you be a part.

RESEARCH AT USF

Where Passion Drives Discovery

You want to change the world. USF gives you the opportunity. As the first university in Florida to create a research-specific strategic plan, USF has always made discovery and innovation a priority. We offer graduate students the opportunity to work alongside internationally renowned faculty and researchers in pursuit of solutions to the world’s most urgent challenges.

$535.4 million

in research contracts and grants awarded in 2020

among all universities worldwide in generating new patents Intellectual Property Owners Association/NAI, 2020

new patents, 98 license/options and 11 new startup companies in fiscal year 2021

Programs of Study

With over 150 degree programs at the graduate, specialist and doctoral levels, usf provides you with the resources and opportunities to make a difference in your community and the world..

• Specialty Programs

Get ready to pursue your passions and hone your expertise.

At USF, you can find a degree path and program that empowers you to reach your goals.

Concurrent Degrees

Our concurrent degrees mean you don't have to choose between dreams.

Online Programs

Did you know USF ranks as a national leader in online education?

Graduate Certificates

Choose from 100+ graduate certificates, including fully online, partially online and on-campus options.

Student Success

Student success isn’t just a support unit at usf. it’s a promise..

• Student Services

Health Services

From administering influenza vaccinations to communicating about disease outbreaks and other potential health concerns, USF supports you with the medical care you need.

Counseling Services

At USF, we believe in supporting students inside and out. Our Counseling Center offers a variety of free services for students, including individual, group and couples counseling.

Academic Support

You can expect to be challenged with our rigorous graduate programs. But you can also expect many academic support services and resources to ensure your success, including access to USF's tutoring centers, libraries and scholar commons.

Career Services

At USF, we’re invested in your future. From picking a major to securing an internship to landing a job in your field, USF Career Services offers all the assistance you need to go from the classroom to the office.

See more student success highlights at each campus:

Explore a world of opportunity. we’ll give you a secure place to start..

• Campus Safety

Your Safety Is Our Priority

USF is committed to maintaining a secure, friendly and welcoming campus community. With our University Police Department, emergency Blue Light Phones around campus, text messaging notifications and other on-campus resources, you can stay focused on your grad school experience, confident you’re protected by our sweeping safety measures.

Admission to USF

Step into the career you want with a graduate degree from a world-class university..

• Admission Requirements

We Want You at USF

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and a minimum 3.00 GPA in completed college coursework. Some programs may require additional materials, such as test scores, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose or a resume. If you are unable to take standardized tests such as the GRE or GMAT due to COVID-19, please contact your proposed program of study for possible extensions or waivers.

Campus Selection

On your application, you can select Tampa, St. Petersburg or Sarasota-Manatee as your home campus. No matter where you study, you’ll earn a degree from Florida’s only Preeminent State Research University located in a metropolitan area. Not sure which campus offers your graduate program? Reach out to your program contact for assistance.

See Why Graduate Students Choose USF

USF Notice of Nondiscrimination

The University of South Florida encourages applications for admission from qualified students regardless of race, color, marital status, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other protected group status in compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws on nondiscrimination and equal opportunity.

You Can Apply to USF in Six Easy Steps

Complete and submit the online application at admissions.usf.edu/application .

Pay the nonrefundable, $30 application fee.

Submit your official college transcript(s) to USF.

Submit any test scores required by your program (GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, etc.).

Standardized tests must have been taken within five years of the desired term of entry.

Submit any additional items required by your program.

Answer the Conduct Clearance questions of the graduate application.

Statistics and Tuition

The numbers don’t lie. see how they add up to incredible education value for graduate students at usf..

• Educational Value

A World-Class Education. An Affordable Cost.

We keep tuition low and value high. Even if you live out of state, costs for graduate students often are competitive with the rates at your local university.

College in 2021 The Princeton Review, 2020

among the 50 Most Affordable In-State Public Universities AffordableColleges.com, 2020

Best Values in Public Colleges Kiplinger's Personal Finance, 2019

College in 2020 The Princeton Review, 2020

• Cost of Attendance

Estimated Cost of Attendance for 2022-23: Living on Campus

Out-of-state, graduate scholarships, find out how we help you keep the cost of our graduate programs low. with scholarships, fellowships, assistantships and more available to offset the cost, an affordable graduate degree from a world-class institution has never been more in reach..

• USF Scholarship Options

Graduate Scholarships and Fellowships

At USF, we don’t believe finances should be a barrier to your future. Graduate students can take advantage of numerous USF and federal scholarship and fellowship opportunities to offset the cost of master’s and doctoral programs. This includes our STARS scholarship database for USF awards and the USF Foundation, which awards over $5 million in free privately funded scholarships each year.

More Scholarship and Fellowship Details

Ready to see how affordable your graduate degree can be? Start browsing our scholarship databases to find out how much you could save on a graduate program at USF.

INTERNSHIPS AND CO-OPS

Get a career foothold before you complete your program, graduate financial support at usf includes supporting you as you gain hands-on skills by working in the field, making professional employment connections and entering the workplace. find out how usf supports you with a variety of internship and cooperative education (co-op) opportunities that give you the momentum you need to seamlessly transition from the classroom to a career..

• More Scholarship Support

USF Assistantships

Our support for graduate students doesn’t end with scholarships and fellowships. Many colleges and departments at USF employ students as graduate assistants on a competitive basis to teach (TA), conduct research (RA), or carry out other relevant tasks that contribute to the student’s professional development (GA).

Scholarship Resources

Don’t miss other ways to cut your college costs. Check out our scholarship articles on the Admit-A-Bull blog for advice on how to successfully find and earn lucrative awards that can make your graduate degree more affordable.

Graduate Student Employment

Scholarships, fellowships and assistantships aren’t the only ways we support graduate students. Discover the jobs available to help offset your costs. As a large metropolitan university, USF offers both on- and off-campus employment options you won’t find at other universities. Our strong connection to the Tampa region’s thriving business community can help lay the groundwork for your successful transition from a graduate program to a lucrative career.

Your future as a graduate student at USF awaits. See the important dates for starting your journey.

Important Dates for Starting at USF

Masters and Educational Specialist Degrees

February 15.

Final summer semester application deadline for masters and educational specialist degrees

Final fall semester application deadline for masters and educational specialist degrees

Final spring semester application deadline for masters and educational specialist degrees

*Refer to specific major for priority deadline. Applications received by the priority deadline will receive maximum consideration.

Doctoral Degrees

Final spring semester application deadline for doctoral degrees

Final summer and fall semester application deadline for doctoral degrees

Tour USF — Online or On Campus

We could tell you all about life at usf, but we’d rather show you discover all the places usf bulls learn, eat, sleep, study and play with a virtual or on-campus tour..

• Application Process

See the steps to complete the application process, including how to submit the application fee, official test scores and official transcripts.

• Research at USF
• How To Apply To USF
• Internships and Co-Ops
• Dates and Deadlines
• Virtual Tour

🎾 DI men's tennis results

📝 DI women's tennis first round results

🏐 NC beach volleyball first round results

NCAA.com | May 3, 2024

2025 march madness: men's ncaa tournament schedule, dates.

The 2025 March Madness tournament starts with Selection Sunday on March 16 as 68 teams will play in the 2025 NCAA tournament for men's basketball. Check out the full schedule below:

• Selection Sunday: Sunday, March 16
• First Four: March 18-19
• First round: March 20-21
• Second round: March 22-23
• Sweet 16: March 27-28
• Elite Eight: March 29-30
• Final Four: April 5 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas
• NCAA championship game: April 7 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas

These are the sites for the men's tournament in 2025:

And here is the game-by-game rundown for the 2024 men's tournament. Click or tap on each game to be taken to the final stats.

2024 NCAA tournament schedule, scores, highlights

Monday, April 8 (National championship game)

• (1) UConn 75 , (1) Purdue 60

Tuesday, March 19 (First Four in Dayton, Ohio)

• (16) Wagner 71 , (16) Howard 68
• (10) Colorado State 67 , (10) Virginia 42

Wednesday, March 20 (First Four in Dayton, Ohio)

• (16) Grambling 88 , (16) Montana State 81
• (10) Colorado 60 , (10) Boise State 53

Thursday, March 21 (Round of 64)

• (9) Michigan State 66 , (8) Mississippi State 51
• (11) Duquesne 71 , (6) BYU 67
• (3) Creighton 77 , (14) Akron 60
• (2) Arizona 85 , (15) Long Beach State 65
• (1) North Carolina 90 , (16) Wagner 61
• (3) Illinois 85 , (14) Morehead State 69
• (11) Oregon 87 , (6) South Carolina 73
• (7) Dayton 63 , (10) Nevada 60
• (7) Texas 56 , (10) Colorado State 44
• (14) Oakland 80 , (3) Kentucky 76
• (5) Gonzaga 86 , (12) McNeese 65
• (2) Iowa State 82 , (15) South Dakota State 65
• (2) Tennessee 83 ,   (15) Saint Peter's 49
• (7) Washington State 66 , (10) Drake 61
• ( 11) NC State 80 , (6) Texas Tech 67
• (4) Kansas 93 , (13) Samford 89

Friday, March 22 (Round of 64)

• (3) Baylor 92 ,   (14) Colgate 67
• (9) Northwestern 77 , (8) Florida Atlantic 65  (OT)
• (5) San Diego State 69 , (12) UAB 65
• (2) Marquette 87 ,   (15) Western Kentucky 69
• (1) UConn 91 , (16) Stetson 52
• (6) Clemson 77 , (11) New Mexico 56
• (10) Colorado 102 , (7) Florida 100   
• (13) Yale 78 , (4) Auburn 76 
• (9) Texas A&M 98 , (8) Nebraska 83
• (4) Duke 64 , (13) Vermont 47
• (1) Purdue 78 , (16) Grambling 50
• (4) Alabama 109 , (13) College of Charleston 96
• (1) Houston 86 , (16) Longwood 46
• (12) James Madison 72 , (5) Wisconsin 61
• (8) Utah State 88 , (9) TCU 72 
• (12) Grand Canyon 77 , (5) Saint Mary's 66

Saturday, March 23 (Round of 32)

• (2) Arizona 78,  (7) Dayton 68
• (5) Gonzaga 89 , (4) Kansas 68
• (1) North Carolina 85 , (9) Michigan State 69
• (2) Iowa State 67 , (7) Washington State 56
• (11) NC State 79 , (14) Oakland 73
• (2) Tennessee 62 , (7) Texas 58
• (3) Illinois 89 , (11) Duquesne 63 
• (3) Creighton 86 , (11) Oregon 73 (2OT)

Sunday, March 24 (Round of 32)

• (2) Marquette 81,  (10) Colorado 77
• (1) Purdue 106,  (8) Utah State 67
• (4) Duke 93 , (12) James Madison 55 
• (6) Clemson 72 , (3) Baylor 64
• (4) Alabama 72 , (12) Grand Canyon 61
• (1) UConn 75 , (9) Northwestern 58
• (1) Houston 100 , (9) Texas A&M 95 (OT)
• (5) San Diego State 85 , (13) Yale 57 

Thursday, March 28 (Sweet 16)

• (6) Clemson 77 , (2) Arizona 72
• (1) UConn 82 , (5) San Diego State 52
• (4) Alabama 89 , (1) North Carolina 87
• (3) Illinois 72 , (2) Iowa State 69

Friday, March 29 (Sweet 16)

• (11) NC State 66 , (2) Marquette 58
• (1) Purdue 80 , (5) Gonzaga 68
• (4) Duke 54 , (1) Houston 51
• (2) Tennessee 82 , (3) Creighton 75

Saturday, March 30 (Elite Eight)

• (1) UConn 77 , (3) Illinois 52
• (4) Alabama 89 , (6) Clemson 82

Sunday, March 31 (Elite Eight)

• (1) Purdue 72 , (2) Tennessee 66
• (11) NC State 76 , (4) Duke 64

Saturday, April 6 (Final Four)

• (1) Purdue 63 , (11) NC State 50
• (1) UConn 86 , (4) Alabama 72

March Madness: Future sites, dates

Here are the future sites for the NCAA Division I men's basketball Final Four:

The most-picked March Madness champion every year since 2014

• 2024 USA men's basketball Olympic roster: College careers, highlights

• 2025 Selection Sunday: Date, schedule, TV times

March Madness

• 🗓️ 2024 March Madness schedule, dates
• 👀 Everything to know about March Madness
• ❓ How the field of 68 is picked
• 📓 College basketball dictionary: 51 terms defined

Greatest buzzer beaters in March Madness history

Relive Laettner's historic performance against Kentucky

The deepest game-winning buzzer beaters in March Madness history

College basketball's NET rankings, explained

• What March Madness looked like the year you were born

DI Men's Basketball News

• 2025 March Madness: Men's NCAA tournament schedule, dates
• How often fans picked the right NCAA men's champion, every year since 2014
• From unranked to NCAA champion
• Way-too-early 2024-25 men's basketball Power 36 rankings
• Why the AP No. 1 team is far from a national championship lock
• Recapping all 67 March Madness games from 2024
• UConn builds a longstanding legacy with 6th national title, 'old school' methods

Follow NCAA March Madness

• Entertainment
• Newsletters

WEATHER ALERT

A rip current statement in effect for Coastal Broward and Coastal Miami Dade Regions

Recall alert: martinelli’s apple juice recalled over arsenic concerns, product sold at publix supermarkets.

Veronica Crespo , Digital Journalist

Check your pantry. Martinelli’s Apple Juice has been recalled over arsenic concerns, according to a study.

Martinelli’s Apple Juice, One Liter (33.8 fl. oz.) bottle with a “Best By” date of “ 09MAR2026 ″ or “ 10MAR2026 ″ on the front of the bottle above the label has been recalled nationwide, including at Publix Supermarkets across South Florida.

Recommended Videos

The product was shipped between March 13, 2023, and Sept. 27, 2023, with the majority of the product shipped before July 28, 2023.

The FDA has stated that exposure to elevated levels of inorganic arsenic can pose a health hazard to young children. The recall is a result of sampling by the State of Maryland that found samples from one production lot of Martinelli’s apple juice, sold in one-liter glass bottles, tested above the guidance action level for inorganic arsenic in apple juice.

Effective June 1, 2023, the FDA issued guidance lowering the industry action level for inorganic arsenic in apple juice from 23 parts per billion to 10 ppb, in line with the requirements for water.

No illness or complaints related to this product code has been reported to date, and no other production dates or Martinelli products are affected by this recall.

Consumers who have additional questions or concerns should call Martinelli’s at 1-800-662-1868.

Information regarding Martinelli’s Apple Juice sold at Publix affected by this recall :

GTIN:  4124402010

Product Description:  Martinelli’s Apple Juice

Best-by Date:  09MAR2026; 10MAR2026

Copyright 2024 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.

About the Author

Veronica crespo.

Veronica Crespo writes for Local10.com and also oversees the Español section of the website. Born and raised in Miami, she graduated from the University of Miami, where she studied broadcast journalism and Spanish.

Biden to Award Medal of Freedom to 19

May 3, 2024 at 7:22 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“President Joe Biden on Friday will name 19 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, including several political allies such as former Vice President Al Gore, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi,” USA Today reports.

Recent Posts

Trump grows increasingly frustrated at trial.

Politico: “He not only looks angry and alone in the courtroom, his public remarks betray the sense he feels that way.” “Reports suggest Trump has taken to bad mouthing his…

Ted Cruz Is Suddenly Courting Democrats

Wall Street Journal: “How this plays with voters could be crucial to whether the polarizing lawmaker wins a third term, as Republicans try to take back the Senate, where Democrats…

Trump’s Scandals Captivate the Courtroom

“Donald Trump is on trial for 34 felony counts of what could be the dullest sounding crime in New York’s penal code: falsifying business records,” the New York Times reports….

AIPAC Plans $20 Million Ad Blitz Against Jamaal Bowman

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee “is expected to launch its first ads in the coming weeks against its next top target this cycle: Rep. Jamaal Bowman in New York’s…

Democrats Brace for Massive Protests at Convention

“As protests over the Israel-Gaza war sweep college campuses, pro-Palestinian activists are ramping up plans for a major show of force at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, increasingly worrying…

Young Voters Barely Remember Politics Without Trump

New York Times: “For the youngest Trump supporters participating in their first presidential election this year, Mr. Trump represents something that is all but impossible for older voters to imagine:…

What Kind of a Third-Party Candidate Is RFK Jr.?

Nate Cohn: “The polling shows many of the conditions for a successful third-party candidacy could be in place. Voters dislike both candidates. They’ve been dissatisfied with the state of the…

Missouri and South Dakota Put Abortion Rights Ballot 

“Two more states with near-total abortion bans are poised to have citizen-sponsored measures on the ballot this year that would allow voters to reverse those bans by establishing a right…

Northern Gaza Is In ‘Full-Blown Famine’

Northern Gaza is in a “full-blown famine” that is “moving its way south,” according to the executive director of the World Food Program, Cindy McCain, the Washington Post reports. Said…

First Democrat Calls on Henry Cuellar to Resign

Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) on Friday became the first House Democrat to call for Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) to resign over federal conspiracy and bribery charges, Axios reports. Save to…

Activist Groups Trained Students for Months 

“The recent wave of pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses came on suddenly and shocked people across the nation,” the Wall Street Journal reports. “But the political tactics underlying some of…

Jobs Data Revives Wall Street’s Hopes for a Rate Cut

“Just as Wall Street appeared to come to terms with the idea of high interest rates sticking around for longer, a cooler-than-expected jobs report on Friday brought the idea of…

Trump Rails Against Recording of Michael Cohen Call

Donald Trump complained about a recording of a phone call between him and Michael Cohen played as evidence during his hush money trial, The Hill reports. Trump said the tape,…

Ivanka Trump Mulls Joining Her Father on the Campaign

Ivanka Trump is “warming to the idea of trying to be helpful again” with her father’s presidential campaign, Puck reports. While it’s not clear what that role could entail, Ivanka…

Bonus Quote of the Day

“Moscow Marjorie has gone off the deep end — may be the result of a space laser.” — Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), on X, slamming Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA)….

Biden Faces New Democratic Pressure to Rein In Israel

“A group of nearly 90 House Democrats is urging President Biden to consider halting sales of offensive weaponry to Israel over concerns about continued restrictions on the flow of humanitarian…

CIA Director Arrives in Egypt for Cease-Fire Talks

“CIA Director William Burns arrived in Cairo, Egypt, Friday for the latest round of high-stakes negotiations over a hostage and cease-fire deal between Hamas and Israel,” CBS News reports. “Burns’…

Hope Hicks Testifies

New York Times: “Hope Hicks could be remembered as a key witness for both sides. She testified as prosecutors expected about the effect of the Access Hollywood tape on the…

Murphy Schedules Special Election for Payne’s Seat

“Gov. Phil Murphy will call a July special primary election and a September special general election to fill the seat of the late Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-NJ), meaning that…

Tennessee Governor Takes Credit for Funds He Opposed

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) announced a $163 million investment to expand broadband high-speed internet access, using federal money from the American Rescue Plan that he opposed in 2021, WCPT…

About Political Wire

Goddard spent more than a decade as managing director and chief operating officer of a prominent investment firm in New York City. Previously, he was a policy adviser to a U.S. Senator and Governor.

Goddard is also co-author of You Won - Now What? (Scribner, 1998), a political management book hailed by prominent journalists and politicians from both parties. In addition, Goddard's essays on politics and public policy have appeared in dozens of newspapers across the country.

Goddard earned degrees from Vassar College and Harvard University. He lives in New York with his wife and three sons.

Goddard is the owner of Goddard Media LLC .

Praise for Political Wire

“There are a lot of blogs and news sites claiming to understand politics, but only a few actually do. Political Wire is one of them.”

— Chuck Todd, host of “Meet the Press”

“Concise. Relevant. To the point. Political Wire is the first site I check when I’m looking for the latest political nugget. That pretty much says it all.”

— Stuart Rothenberg, editor of the Rothenberg Political Report

“Political Wire is one of only four or five sites that I check every day and sometimes several times a day, for the latest political news and developments.”

— Charlie Cook, editor of the Cook Political Report

“The big news, delicious tidbits, pearls of wisdom — nicely packaged, constantly updated… What political junkie could ask for more?”

— Larry Sabato, Center for Politics, University of Virginia

“Political Wire is a great, great site.”

— Joe Scarborough, host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe”

“Taegan Goddard has a knack for digging out political gems that too often get passed over by the mainstream press, and for delivering the latest electoral developments in a sharp, no frills style that makes his Political Wire an addictive blog habit you don’t want to kick.”

— Arianna Huffington, founder of The Huffington Post

“Political Wire is one of the absolute must-read sites in the blogosphere.”

— Glenn Reynolds, founder of Instapundit

“I rely on Taegan Goddard’s Political Wire for straight, fair political news, he gets right to the point. It’s an eagerly anticipated part of my news reading.”

— Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist.

University of South Florida

Main Navigation

USF to confer more than 7,000 degrees during spring commencement ceremonies

April 29, 2024

University News

By Daphne Kotschessa Almodovar and Kevin Watler , University Communications and Marketing

The University of South Florida will award more than 7,000 degrees during spring commencement exercises May 2-5 in the Yuengling Center on the Tampa campus. The ceremonies include recipients of approximately 5,260 bachelor’s, 1,618 master’s, 179 doctoral and six specialist degrees. 

The group features 114 undergraduate students earning a perfect 4.0 GPA and 168 student veterans, and includes students from 46 states and 89 nations. More than 40 percent of the spring undergraduates (2,124) are recipients of Pell Grants, reflecting USF’s impact on social mobility. Pell is a federal financial aid program for students from modest socioeconomic backgrounds. 

USF President Rhea Law will preside over all 10 ceremonies and will present several community members with awards throughout the weekend’s ceremonies. 

More information about the ceremonies is available here .

Deziree Price

Bachelor of Science in industrial and management systems engineering

They say it takes a village and Deziree Price had one indeed. She grew up in Virginia Beach, Va. with parents who had little money and no college education but were rich with unconditional love. Price’s mother brought her and her brother along to the daycare where she worked while her dad was often away serving the Navy. Her extended family and community of caregivers helped instill empathy and resilience, while her dad’s dedication was felt even from a distance. It motivated her success at USF.

“My journey at the USF Institute of Applied Engineering began with simple acts of kindness and a humble request for an opportunity,” Price said.

Starting as a student assistant at the IAE, she offered support to the engineers, later spending a year and a half as a quality and test engineering intern, followed by a project engineering intern, where she gained hands-on experience in planning the Rapid Experimentation Lab , which opened in March.

“I was involved in tasks such as scheduling, layout planning, risk management and process creation for the new Rapid Experimentation Lab,” Price said.

Today, her parents' journey serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration to her. Price’s father eventually earned bachelor’s and master's degrees in cybersecurity and her mother obtained numerous education certifications to now manage a daycare, showing Price that overcoming adversity is possible.

“There have been tough moments when I've had to rely on myself, but that is the reality of being a responsible adult and I always remind myself to persevere, knowing that all my efforts will eventually yield results,” Price said. “I take pride in my independence and my ability to provide for myself.”

Price affirms USF has been a blessing, opening doors to remarkable opportunities through the merit-based USF Green and Gold Presidential Scholarship and including an unforgettable journey to Iceland through the Green Program, a USF-affiliated study abroad program. 

A proud member of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers and the National Society of Black Engineers, along with the Kenneth Dorsey Jr. Foundation, Price gained friends at USF who have supported her in every aspect of life. She is grateful to her professors for their invaluable guidance and encouragement, which has played a pivotal role in her achievement, graduating with honors. 

Price was hired to work full-time as an engineer at the IAE and will remain at USF in the accelerated master's in engineering management program.

Bachelor of Science in integrated public relations and advertising

tyler-scream

tyler-soflorodeo

tyler with mannequin

If you felt the fan frenzy in the Yuengling Center during USF basketball games, Tyler Moss can be thanked for making the magic happen. The sports aficionado is the mastermind behind SoFlo Rodeo, running marketing campaigns focused on enhancing engagement and attendance.

With support from USF Athletics, Moss created a comprehensive marketing plan in November 2023 that catapulted student interest, reawakened alumni and embedded memorable experiences that tapped untouched pockets of the USF community to nurture a new generation of fans.

“In my eyes, we bridged a gap between USF Athletics and the student body,” Moss said. “For what seemed like the first time in program history, the two were united and inspired a wave supporting other programs at USF.”

Moss began his journey at USF having first obtained guaranteed admission via the FUSE pathway program and transferred from Hillsborough Community College with an associate degree in sports management. He has helped the USF hockey club with marketing and served as vice president of the USF Public Relations Student Society of America, following in the footsteps of his parents, who are public relations professionals in Tampa Bay. While building strong relationships and crafting strategic plans come naturally to Moss, his biggest hurdle at USF was finding a balance.

“Throughout my entire journey at USF, I maintained at least three jobs and had five at one time,” he said. “All of this and my schooling created a challenge. However, I never failed a class or missed a commitment and for that, I am proud.”

Moss credits USF for granting him the many opportunities to showcase his abilities and thrive with constant support from professors and USF Athletics.

Upon graduation, Moss hopes to work in collegiate athletics and eventually become an athletic director. He has already accepted an offer to work on developing communications campaigns with the USF Greater Tampa Alumni Chapter.

Kelin Griffin

Bachelor of Arts in Criminology, double minor in Deaf Studies and Linguistics

In elementary school, Kelin Griffin was asked to write a letter to her future self. And in it, she wrote that she was going to attend USF. With grandparents, parents, two uncles and a brother who are all alums, it was Griffin’s destiny to attend the University of South Florida. Although she grew up in a small town in southern Maryland, her parents were still active and avid fans of USF athletics.  Any time they visited Florida, it was a ritual to visit USF, go to the bookstore and take photos with the bull statues.

“USF was something I was always exposed to. When my dad's job brought us to Maryland, the things he missed most were the basketball and football games,” Griffin said. “Many of my mom's friends from college became family to me and my siblings.”

Griffin has more college-branded clothes than she can count. Once she applied and was accepted to USF, Griffin’s decision to attend was easy. She immersed herself in the summer Academic and Cultural Engagement program – designed to help students more easily transition from high school to college by facilitating specialized academics, community building and campus engagement experiences. 

Griffin found her calling as a supporter of the deaf community. She was elected vice president of the American Sign Language Bulls at the end of her junior year and is inspired to pursue a career as an interpreter.

“USF has given me opportunities to grow into myself and learn valuable practical skills such as organization, time management, leadership, communication and respect,” Griffin said. “I am very appreciative of my time at USF and cannot wait to participate as an active member of the Alumni Association.” 

Griffin’s parents have since relocated to Tampa and become season ticketholders for USF football and women's basketball games. They attend Alumni Association events and were named Family of the Year in 2022. That same year, Griffin married her high school sweetheart, Shawn. The couple will welcome their first child in August, a baby boy they hope will carry on the USF family legacy. 

William Rasmussen

Master's degree in history

William Rasmussen dedicated his life to serving his country and pursuing knowledge. A retired Army colonel who specialized in military intelligence, he transitioned from analyzing Soviet strategy to tackling terrorism in Africa. As a defense attaché in the Congo and Kenya, he navigated complex diplomatic challenges. In his civilian role, he continued to combat terrorism in Africa.

Now, as an educator at several Tampa Bay area colleges, he shares his expertise in American history, government and military history. With a master’s degree in international relations and soon a master’s in history, Rasmussen embodies a commitment to lifelong learning and service. At the age of 69, he is the oldest graduate this semester.

Anastasia Kovalyshin

Bachelor of science in health sciences

At 17 years old, Anastasia Kovalyshin is the youngest graduate this semester. Her passion for medicine led her to excel in advanced classes and graduate high school early, at the age of 15. Despite challenges, including the ongoing war in Ukraine, where her family is from, Kovalyshin found strength in her faith and family.

A highlight of her time at USF was leading a course for first-year students in the Judy Genshaft Honors College. Kovalyshin also volunteers at her local Ukrainian Catholic Church, honing her leadership skills.

Cole eicher

Bachelor of Science in marketing

As Cole Eicher prepares to graduate, he’s also celebrating another milestone: ten years of being cancer free. In 2014 at the age of 12, Eicher was diagnosed with brain cancer. After weeks of experiencing migraines, dizziness, nausea and bouts of double vision, a golf-ball sized tumor was discovered in the back of his brain. He needed immediate surgery.

Now, he views the last 10 years as a gift, one where he was given time to learn how to drive a car, make new friends and even win USF St. Petersburg’s cardboard boat race. 

“And now I have the gift of walking at commencement,” said Eicher, who will be graduating magna cum laude.

He has taken full advantage of this time by helping other kids diagnosed with cancer. After his recovery, Eicher got involved in Relay for Life. This American Cancer Society initiative celebrates survivors and remembers those lost to the disease by organizing relay teams that gather for community events to walk, raise awareness and money, and support those fighting cancer. Eicher was so touched at these gatherings that he set a goal of forming a team.

That goal became Gold Together for Childhood Cancer, a non-profit he started in high school. He hoped through this organization to provide a platform that would raise awareness for childhood cancer and funds for research and support programs, while providing communities a vehicle to support kids fighting cancer by forming their own Gold Together teams for Relay for Life. It proved so successful that in 2018, it became the official childhood cancer initiative for ACS.

What started as one team, is now in nearly 150 communities and has raised more than $11 million. 

Cole has shared his inspirational story many times over the years. On one such occasion it inspired then-USF President Judy Genshaft to offer Eicher a full scholarship to come to USF. He chose the St. Petersburg campus for its atmosphere, community feel and small class sizes. 

He became a marketing major because of his love connecting with people, being a brand ambassador and building relationships. These were the same reasons he became a peer coach on campus, providing guidance and helping acclimate nearly 150 students into college life. Eicher also assisted in creating a student club on campus called ACS with the Bulls. The club will be bringing a Relay for Life event to the USF Tampa campus in the spring of 2025.

It is these experiences and relationships that he cherishes the most.

“My brain cancer operation took place at John’s Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, right next to campus,” he said. “My journey truly feels full circle right now.”

Brandon gonzalez

Bachelor of Science in cybersecurity

Born in Miami, Brandon Gonzalez has lived all over Florida, helping his Cuban immigrant father work as a general contractor.

“Traveling to disaster sites immediately after major hurricanes to help my father replace roofs, seeing the damage caused and how much my help can change lives made me realize that even I can make a difference and change the world,” Gonzalez said. “This sparked a feeling inside, leading me down the path of cybersecurity, wanting to help the helpless and those who do not fully understand the complex technology today from cyberthreats.”

A first-generation college student, Gonzalez transferred to the USF Dept. of Computer Science and Engineering in the College of Engineering in the spring of 2022 after completing his associate degree Summa Cum Laude from the State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota. He is a founding member of USF Cyberherd , a national-level cybersecurity competition team that recently took first place in the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity Southeast Regional and runner-up at one of the most important defense competitions in the cybersecurity field, the Southeast Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition at Kennedy Space Center.

“My experience at USF truly did change my life,” Gonzalez said. “The friendships I made along the way are who I dedicate the most of my success to. I would not have been able to get through it all without them.”

At USF, Gonzalez assisted the Muma College of Business in testing a free resource to enhance cyber safety in the workplace and was among the first to earn the KnowBe4-USF Cyber Resilience Program certification. Supported by a scholarship under the National Science Foundation S-STEM Program, Gonzalez also held various positions within the student-run organization, the Whitehatters Computer Security Club, which provides hands-on experience with real-world security problems, such as penetration testing, active defense, and cyber forensics.

In addition to winning competitions, Gonzalez spent his summers mentoring high school students on their path to cybersecurity participating in the 502 Project, a workforce development program, and interning with cybersecurity firm ReliaQuest. After graduation, Gonzalez will be moving up north to work in the public sector helping protect the country from cyber threats.

Amna Wajahat

Bachelor of Science in business analytics and information systems

Meeting new friends and establishing a foothold in the business community proved to be the biggest hurdles Amna Wajahat faced while at USF. The New Tampa native was already familiar with the ins and outs of the university. Her two older sisters, Labeena and Leena, are proud Bull alums, graduating with honors in 2013 and 2022 respectively. But as a commuter student, Wajahat felt apprehensive about not experiencing the traditional college journey.

Once she delved into the networking opportunities offered by USF, Wajahat began to thrive.

“The Muma College of Business hosted speaker sessions with leading industry professionals, the Bellini Center for Talent Development offered valuable career development workshops and internship showcases, while the Judy Genshaft Honors College facilitated my interactions with fellow high-achieving students,” Wajahat said. “These three resources contributed significantly to my academic and professional growth during my time at USF.”

Taking advantage of dual enrollment during high school, earning the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship and a scholarship from USF for her achievements, Wajahat arrived at USF with an associate degree, and accelerated her path to graduation. She maintained a 3.9 GPA and remained committed to academic excellence by engaging in rigorous coursework both within her major and through the Honors College.

Wajahat developed leadership skills by working as a Power BI developer on the Honors IT team, where she handled data analysis and reporting responsibilities. Additionally, she served as a peer mentor to first-year students, providing guidance and support as they began their college journey. For her Honors College Capstone project, Wajahat served as a student consultant for a European digital marketing agency and gained valuable insights into project management and client relations.

She most enjoyed a class focused on South Korean culture and identity, delving into topics such as history, language, and social customs. This culminated in a study abroad trip to Seoul, South Korea, where she experienced the Asian culture and even partnered with Yonsei University for a virtual pen pal program that later allowed her to meet her pen pal in person.

Participating in the Women in Business Society, Project Downtown, Collegiate Leadership Tampa Bay Class of 2024 and volunteering at Feeding Tampa Bay, the English and Urdu speaker excelled in her internship at Citibank. She was recently selected as a Muma College of Business 25 under 25 Honoree. Wajahat recently accepted an offer to join Citibank as an enterprise operations and technology analyst.

Shirley Ngo

Bachelor of Science in health sciences

Despite growing up in Tampa, for Shirley Ngo, USF was still a foreign place. She’s a first-generation college student and Pell grant recipient with a strong, hard-working Vietnamese and Chinese family that supported her pursuit of a college education. They inspired her journey and infused her with love, but she had to figure out how to do college all on her own.

"Although it is a privilege and an honor to be able to attend and let alone be the first in my immediate family to do so, I really did struggle at first when trying to figure out financial aid and other factors,” Ngo said. “There were many nights when I felt alone.”

Taking advantage of the various financial resources offered by USF, including grants, work-study programs, and advisors available to consult along the way, Ngo flourished. And armed with a deep understanding of the struggles first-generation students can face, she was right there for her brother Jason when it came time for him to attend USF. He is now a junior studying health science and thriving, just like his sister.

“I am grateful for my parents, Emily and Tim. They instilled the value of education and building a strong community in me,” Ngo said. “Their sacrifices taught me to value resilience and develop a deep appreciation for my community."

At USF, Ngo made the Dean’s List while juggling her coursework and working part time on- and off-campus. She held various leadership positions within the Vietnamese Student Association, including as president and senior advisor. She participated in several student organizations including Asian Students in America, the Korean Student Association and Journey to the East. Ngo beams at having raised funds for a variety of philanthropic causes. 

“USF has helped me thrive, allowing me to meet so many wonderful people that are my backbone. Not only have I made incredible friends here, but the faculty and staff made me feel comfortable and let me grow as a person and a student.”

With an intense sense of pride, Ngo cultivated community beyond campus, collaborating with local cultural organizations to bring arts to the public. She is excited for the personal and professional journey following graduation. While traveling and applying to graduate school for health informatics, she is assisting with research on the impact of post-COVID-19 reforms on data transparency, ethical guidelines, and protocol compliance in clinical research organizations.

Ashlie cruz

Bachelor of Science in biology

A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Ashlie Cruz enrolled at USF Sarasota-Manatee with the goal of someday attending medical school and becoming an orthopedic surgeon. On the GI Bill, she experienced USF’s embrace of a veteran inclusive approach and found some of the most important moments for her occurred soon after enrolling in school and leaving military life behind.

“When you can find an advocate, people who understand you and provide support, it makes a big difference,” said Cruz.

While at USF Sarasota-Manatee, Cruz served as the events coordinator for the Campus Activities Board. Using work-study financial aid to help pay for college., she worked part-time in the Office of Veteran Success, enhancing campus engagement for veteran success and alumni affairs.

Cruz enlisted the humility and dedication to service gained during her five years as a United States Navy hospital corpsman to connect with fellow student veterans and ensure a sense of belonging on campus.

The New Jersey native offers words of encouragement to military personnel transitioning into college life. “It’s easy to feel alone. Don’t be scared to engage in campus activities,” Cruz said. “You would be thrilled to find out just how much fun you’d have and all the cool people you’d meet.”

Cruz will continue serving others in her professional endeavors. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in healthcare administration at USF Sarasota-Manatee then apply to medical schools.

Alana Mayott

Bachelor of Science in environmental science and policy

The Florida native from the small town of Melbourne was attracted to USF for the big city feel and the generous financial aid package. A Pell grant recipient who worked hard to earn the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship, and recognized by USF through scholarships that include financial education, Alana Mayott was able to take advantage of the many opportunities that come with college life at USF.

“From the moment I stepped on campus for a tour, I was surprised,” Mayott said. “The layout was beautiful. The center of the Tampa campus is just gorgeous. I immediately pictured myself here.” 

Location was key for Mayott. Pursuing a minor in urban studies, she was especially interested in the city’s growth and approach to finding infrastructure solutions that progressively make the heart of Tampa more walkable and accessible to the entire community.

“From the ethics to the social aspects, I was excited to see how the city develops plans to connect beyond the bay area to the region with public transportation,” Mayott said. “I’ve learned how the science of planning leads to developing policy alongside community partners.”

Mayott experienced public transportation networks first-hand as a recipient of the Provost Ralph Wilcox USF-Exeter Student Exchange Scholarship, which allowed her to spend a semester in the United Kingdom and explore Europe on her downtime. “It sincerely changed my life, especially my perspective of the rest of the world outside of the United States,” she said.

On campus, Mayott found community by engaging with peers who shared her interests. She enjoyed the school spirit around athletics games, became president of the Botanical Gardens Club, vice president of the Student Environmental Association and proud member of several organizations, such as Alpha Sigma Kappa. After graduation, she will return to her hometown with greater perspective and newfound knowledge, taking a gap year to explore internships and graduate programs.

Return to article listing

Boundless Bulls , Commencement , Daphne Kotschessa Almodovar , Kevin Watler , MyUSF

News Archive

Learn more about USF's journey to Preeminence by viewing Newsroom articles from past years.

USF in the News

Tampa bay business journal: usf ranked in the top 50 for patents worldwide, new york times: is nasal spray addictive.

April 23, 2024

NPR: A giant patch of seaweed is heading towards Florida's beaches

April 21, 2024

Tampa Bay Times: Here’s how USF is rising as a major research institution

April 18, 2024

More USF in the News