Moez Limayem has been named the sole finalist for the position of president at the University of South Florida (USF). The announcement was made by the USF Presidential Search Committee, which recommended Limayem to the USF Board of Trustees as the university’s ninth president.
Limayem is currently serving as president of the University of North Florida (UNF). He previously held a leadership role at USF as Lynn Pippenger Dean of the Muma College of Business for ten years before taking on his current position at UNF in 2022.
“Our committee is proud to announce Dr. Moez Limayem as the sole finalist to become the ninth president in University of South Florida history,” said Mike Griffin, chair of the presidential search committee. “We conducted a thorough process that included reviewing an outstanding group of highly qualified candidates from across the nation before deciding that Moez is the best choice for our USF community. He brings a strong track record of presidential success in Florida in his current role, and we experienced the impact of his leadership firsthand when he led our Muma College of Business. We are confident that Moez is the right person to accelerate our momentum and lead us to even greater heights in the next chapter of our university.”
During his time at UNF, Limayem oversaw several milestones, including welcoming its largest incoming class and achieving record overall enrollment since 1972. The university also set a new high for first-year student retention rates. Under his leadership, UNF became recognized as having the highest percentage of bachelor’s graduates employed within Florida among state institutions.
Limayem has received recognition from various organizations during his career. He was named one of Florida Trend’s 500 most influential business leaders and was honored by Jacksonville Business Journal as an Ultimate CEO. The National Academy of Inventors also gave him an award for contributions to innovation and invention.
While leading USF’s Muma College of Business, Limayem helped raise over $126 million in private donations, including a $25 million gift from Pam and Les Muma—the largest individual donation in university history at that time. He also focused on enhancing career preparation, internships, and talent development initiatives for students.
Earlier roles include serving as associate dean for research and graduate programs at University of Arkansas Sam M. Walton College of Business. Limayem holds both an MBA and doctorate from University of Minnesota.
His wife Alya is an associate professor at UNF specializing in biology research; she holds multiple U.S. patents and was named Senior Member by National Academy of Inventors in 2024. They have two children.
“The University of South Florida and the Tampa Bay region are special to my family and me,” said Limayem. “I have always enjoyed working with USF faculty, staff, students, alumni, supporters and the community’s business leaders and I am honored to be considered to lead this great university in its continued pursuit of excellence.”
Public forums will be scheduled soon so members across campus can meet with Limayem prior to any final decision by trustees.
The search process complied with state law and regulations set by Florida Board of Governors (BOG), involving stakeholder input throughout candidate identification stages before recommending a finalist for trustee consideration.
The selection responsibility rests with USF’s Board; if approved by them, confirmation must then come from BOG.
