Community Relations

Overview

Vision

USF St. Petersburg is an urban campus seamlessly integrated into the fabric of the city and region it serves, thereby increasing prosperity for students, businesses, and all citizens.

Logos for the community partners

The City of St. Petersburg, the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership, the St. Petersburg Innovation District have partnered with USF St. Petersburg to establish a director of community relations for the campus to:

  • Serve as a key point of contact on the USF St. Petersburg campus for businesses, institutions, residents, and others to access and engage in university degree or non-degree programs and campus life;
  • Serve as liaison among the campus, the City of St Petersburg, St Petersburg Downtown Partnership, St Petersburg Innovation District and other business and community entities;
  • Cultivate trusting relationships by coordinating campus and community efforts and attending activities;
  • Increase student and faculty engagement opportunities, working with community organizations to identify opportunities;
  • Publicize community engagement initiatives via promotional materials and an annual report.

 "The city and USF's St. Petersburg campus have long enjoyed a close and mutually beneficial relationship. This new position will help us take that relationship to the next level, serving as a bridge to our community and giving citizens and business leaders easier access to our nationally-ranked research university." - Kanika Tomalin, deputy mayor of the city of St. Petersburg

“People who live in St. Pete feel very strongly about this campus. We take great pride in this campus. We see it as our St. Pete university. … this campus that is so close geographically to the downtown of St. Pete has a very important role economically and emotionally in the business community. People in our community pay even more close attention to what happens on this campus and are intimately involved in this campus, I think far more so than other university campuses.” - Jason Mathis, CEO of the Downtown Partnership

“Our community cares about the USF St. Pete campus and students and wants them to be successful. The business community has long rallied around the campus. It really is a catalyst for bringing new ideas to the table.” - Alison Barlow, executive director of the St. Petersburg Innovation District


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