The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee has been providing courses for upper-level undergraduates, graduate students and continuing education students for over 30 years and has become an unstoppable force in the region, serving the academic needs of the local community, businesses and organizations.
From teachers, business leaders and information technology professionals to nurses, social workers and hotel managers, USF Sarasota-Manatee alumni—over 19,000 strong in the Manatee/Sarasota region—are making significant contributions to employment and economic growth in our region.
Today’s local and global marketplace is fueled by the exchange of ideas. The strongest communities are ones that foster discussion and encourage critical thinking, and USF Sarasota-Manatee is doing just that by employing world-class faculty, educating students through extensive and diverse academic programs, and graduating alumni who are among the best and brightest of the companies for which they work.
USF Sarasota-Manatee offers excellent opportunities for students to take part in applied research as well as co-operative education and internship programs at a wide variety of businesses and organizations. These experiences reinforce and augment a challenging academic environment and provide a vital link in the development of leaders and critical thinkers in our community.
USF Sarasota-Manatee successfully addresses the broad spectrum of educational needs of individuals in our region by offering undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs, not only at traditional times and places, but also in ways that make higher education accessible to non-traditional students and working professionals of all ages. Diversity is embraced through our forums of discussion presented by the Institute for Public Policy and Leadership (IPPL), the presence of the Lifelong Learning Academy, which provides outstanding educational programs to enrich the lives of mature adults, and flexible class schedules that fit students’ busy lifestyles.
The quality of faculty and research at a university defines its success, and at this institution of engaged and active learners, our professors represent an unstoppable force. Their enthusiasm for and commitment to scholarship and teaching have made USF Sarasota-Manatee an intellectually vibrant university. They are also essential to creating the next generation of scholars, drawing talented men and women to USF Sarasota-Manatee and nurturing their academic development once they are here.
The 2006 opening of our new campus center and the 2005 opening of our Venice location were milestones in our well-established history of commitment to higher education. Today, USF Sarasota-Manatee is in the planning stages for additional facilities to accommodate enrollment growth in excess of 7,500.
Our vision remains to continue to grow enrollments in our degree programs, enhance quality faculty, become academically autonomous with separate accreditation, look for additional graduate opportunities and develop programs that fit community needs.
Key objectives for the USF: Unstoppable Campaign include:
The School of Hotel and Restaurant Management
The Manatee/Sarasota area enjoys a high standard of living, with a reputation for first-class arts, culture, lifestyle and amenities. With more restaurants per capita than New York City, Sarasota’s impressive variety of dining establishments and hotels adds a cosmopolitan quality to this community that routinely is rated one of the best places in the United States to live, work and retire. Residents and visitors alike have high expectations for service and hospitality.
The vision for the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management is comprehensive, including faculty and facilities among the vanguard of the tourism industry. Specifically, the program prepares individuals for management and leadership roles. It seeks to develop professionals who will add to the financial, intellectual and social growth of the region.
The College of Education
The College of Education at USF Sarasota-Manatee has served Manatee/Sarasota area schools as an important center of teacher training for over 30 years. USF Sarasota-Manatee develops both undergraduate and graduate professionals in the field of education.
The College of Education is a leader in regional, national and international education. Leadership in education encompasses academic excellence, research, scholarship and collaboration that serves communities, institutions and individuals.
To fulfill its vision, the College of Education is committed to offering challenging learning opportunities in a supportive and diverse environment; preparing the next generation of educators, scholars and leaders; and serving the community through collaborative relationships.
The College of Business
The College of Business at USF Sarasota-Manatee provides undergraduate business programs that are among the best in the public higher education institutions of Florida. We remain devoted to attracting high quality students, faculty and staff and supporting our community. Part of our mission is to continually provide new and innovative programming that helps our students become business leaders in the Manatee/Sarasota region.
The College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences is an interdisciplinary community bound by a shared commitment to the study of human ideas and experience, critical inquiry, creative expression and open discourse. Small class sizes allow students to be mentored and challenged to achieve. As a result, members of the faculty are active scholars, publishing in respected journals and presenting papers at national conferences.
Information Technology
The Information Technology program is designed to bridge the gap between the fields of computer science and management information systems. Graduates are well prepared to emerge as highly qualified professionals and are able to contribute to today’s technology-based society.
Institute for Public Policy and Leadership
The IPPL is a knowledge resource, broker and facilitator. With the vast academic resources available, IPPL guides the dialogue about relevant policy issues at the local, regional, national and international levels.
Throughout the life of the USF: Unstoppable Campaign, USF Sarasota-Manatee will continue its development as a hub of academic and economic life in the region. Working together, we will be unstoppable.
