USF Unveiled – Dr. King’s New University Home

After 13 years and building an international academic publication and research record at Fordham University in New York City, Kathy has taken the position of professor of higher education in a doctoral program at the University of South Florida in Tampa FL. In this brief article, she shares key points about this dynamic research I university and the opportunities which have drawn her to their academic community nestled in the sun and surf.

8-13-10 Post USF Faculty Orientation Update

Yes 4 days of orientation! Who ever heard of this? But guess what? It was terrific.
What a wonderful way to not only orient your new faculty (and academic ambassadors), but also to

• build camaraderie among faculty and administrators,
• introduce the organization structure,
• demonstrate university faculty resources,
• review academic policies, and
• build community!

The opportunity to join USF was one I thought carefully about. Leaving behind a wonderful group of students, good university and tenured position is not an easy decision.

However USF has a distinctive national and international history. It is already obvious that being in a younger university (chartered in 1956) will be different from one with a long history.

The biggest changes for me are probably the many opportunities to work with colleagues. I have joined the department of Adult, Career and Higher Education in the College of Education where I have 10 full-time colleagues in areas closely aligned to mine. What a pleasant adjustment compared to my prior post where I was primarily a department of one.

The technology capabilities and visionary perspective of the university are not only on paper. I am seeing them in faculty resources , the focus on projects and available support. For my areas of research interest and innovation, these will be of great assistance.

Selected Highlights of USF

Rather than drone on about the history and mission of this public  university, I will share a few bullet points which characterize it for me.

• USF has 47,000 students from across the country and around the globe. (Remember it opened its doors in 1960 to 2,000 students!).
• Today, the it is recognized as one of the nation’s top 63 public research universities.
• It is in the top rank, Research I in the Carnegie classifications.
• In Florida, it is listed as one of the top 3 research universities (home to many universities).
• An emphasis on interdisciplinary, global and innovative research.
• And just this week, the 2011 US News and World Report has the university listed in both the “Best National Universities” and “Up and Coming” list.
• It is surrounded by Moffit Cancer Center, Shriner’s Hospital, VA hospital and innovative medical research.

Adjustment to Palm Trees, Humidity, and Beginnings

This move has been much larger for our family, and more time consuming than I expected. Thank fully we transplanted in mid June and have pretty much settled in the community even amidst the hottest summer on record.

With classes starting next week (yes they start early down south), I am eager to meet the students  I will be working with this semester. Doctoral classes, dissertations, grant writing, and plenty of publishing, this is what lies ahead as usual. But it is wonderful to be welcomed to  a new context, to open a new chapter of your career.

Thinking of You

If you have been thinking about… Count the costs, do your homework, and maybe just maybe, the risk might be a welcomed journey.

Happy New School Year!

Your colleague,

Kathy King

kpking@Transformation.edu