About

Letters from Leadership

Brett E. Kemker

Regional Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs and Student Success and Vice Provost

Brett E. Kemker, Regional Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs and Student Success and Vice Provost

At the heart of our mission at USF Sarasota-Manatee is a profound commitment to supporting our students throughout their academic journey — from the moment they arrive on campus to the day they graduate and beyond. Our focus on student success extends beyond the classroom to include community outreach, study abroad and everything in between, providing our students with opportunities to grow, connect and excel.  

This issue of Momentum Magazine highlights the many transformative experiences that underscore our dedication to this mission. Take a visual tour of the Campus Student Center and Atala Residence Hall, which marked the transformation of our campus into a full-service environment where students can connect, collaborate and thrive outside the classroom. Hear from students who studied abroad this year. Or read about their forays into the world of academic research. 

Thank you for being part of our journey and for supporting our mission to empower our students. Every member of our university community plays a role in supporting student success. Faculty, staff, alumni and community partners work together to ensure that every student is given the opportunity to achieve their goals and make a lasting impact in their chosen fields. Together, we continue to make a difference in their lives and, as a result, the broader community. 

SANDRA JUSTICE

Director, USF Research Development Institute

Sandy Justice, Associate Director of USF Research and Innovation

In the seven years I led the Office of Research at USF Sarasota-Manatee, I have witnessed an unwavering commitment to academic research. Our faculty support ambitious projects that advance immersive technology in education, health care, cybersecurity and other fields and provide our students with exciting opportunities to gain research experience and prepare to solve the problems of the future.

As I transition into my new role as director of the USF Research Development Institute, I am thrilled to introduce Ross DuBose as he steps into a leadership role for USF Sarasota-Manatee research. I am confident that his collaborative approach will further enhance the research enterprise, and I anticipate bold new initiatives that will strengthen our culture of collaboration and expand our impact.

We are committed to advancing the bold vision for USF that has seen us become a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and break new records in research funding. The work we are doing today will lay the foundation for even greater achievements tomorrow.

Thank you for your continued dedication to making USF Sarasota-Manatee a vibrant hub for research and innovation. 

Ross DuBose

Assistant Director of USF Research and Innovation

Ross DuBose

It’s an exciting time to join this dynamic campus, especially as USF continues its bold journey as a leading research institution. I am eager to bring my experience helping academic researchers overcome the challenges of publication and securing funding to USF Sarasota-Manatee and support the incredible work being done by our faculty. 

I am honored to follow in the footsteps of Sandy Justice, who has been instrumental in building the research culture at USF Sarasota-Manatee. Sandy’s leadership has created a strong foundation, and her new role as director of the USF Research Development Institute will undoubtedly elevate our research enterprise to even greater heights. I look forward to working with her as we expand our research efforts, both on this campus and across One USF.

I have already had the privilege of meeting many of our esteemed faculty as well as members of the community, including our friends at Easterseals, the Science and Technology Society, the Brain Health Initiative, Chiles Hospitality, the Florida Department of Health and so many more. Everyone has been so welcoming, and I truly feel at home.

I’m excited to continue getting to know our faculty, learning about their research and working together to unlock new possibilities. USF’s invitation to join the prestigious Association of American Universities and its record-breaking research funding achievements are testaments to our potential. As we strive toward even greater goals – including the ambitious target of $1 billion in research awards by 2030 – I am committed to helping our faculty seize every opportunity to contribute to this incredible trajectory.