By Mark Schreiner
The changing of the guard becomes official at the University of South Florida Monday as Steven Currall becomes President.
He succeeds Judy Genshaft, who is retiring after 19 years leading the school.
Currall, 60, comes to USF from Southern Methodist University where he was Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
In an interview with WUSF’s University Beat, Currall said he's been working with Genshaft, school trustees and the state Board of Governors for the last two months.
He added that since being named President in March, he's visited the three USF campuses multiple times and heard from faculty, staff and students on a variety of topics, especially the consolidation of the colleges' accreditations.
“So I'm very eager to engage with them in a dialogue about how we can work together in a very collaborative way to better and advance USF as one university,” said Currall.
He added that over the first several months of his presidency he plans to conduct a “listening tour,” where he will visit as many colleges and departments across all three campuses as possible.
In one of her last interviews with WUSF News, Genshaft had some advice for her successor.
“Do what you believe to be right, make sure you keep preeminence in all the metrics in front of you, and keep the University of South Florida on the positive trajectory and go forth and be strong,” said Genshaft.
And, for his part, Currall said he's been working closely with Genshaft since he was named President.
“She's been generous, she's been gracious, she's been wise, and I am benefiting from her advice and her thoughts about the university and the future,” said Currall.
You can hear more from Currall on University Beat, this Wednesday on Morning Edition at 7:45 a.m. and All Things Considered at 5:44 p.m.
