USF College of Education to retain undergraduate programs

Three months after announcing that undergraduate programs in the College of Education at the University of South Florida would be phased out in favor of graduate education, campus administrators have shifted course. 

“We are pleased to announce that our latest plans will retain the College of Education within an autonomous college structure,” provost Ralph Wilcox and interim dean of the College of Education Judith Ponticell wrote in a statement released Wednesday. “We will also retain our most high-demand undergraduate education programs, and we will accelerate our national search for a permanent Dean of the College of Education. We will do this while meeting our fiscal responsibilities and maintaining our commitment to student access and success. This direction has the full support of USF leadership.”

The decision comes after a series of meetings between USF administrators and stakeholders, including regional school district leaders, who spoke out strongly against the idea of eliminating undergraduate education programs. Pinellas County school superintendent Mike Grego was one of the most vocal advocates for keeping things status quo. At a school board meeting in late October, he noted the district hires between 600 and 800 new teachers per year and roughly 25 percent of them come from USF. Other superintendents from around Tampa Bay said they also rely on USF as a pipeline for new educators. 

To that end, Wilcox and Ponticell said they will continue to refine the educational offerings provided by the college, including a “focused array” of bachelor’s degrees leading to teacher certification, which will keep the pipeline flowing.

“We will offer these programs while strengthening the college’s focus on educational research, ensuring that USF remains at the forefront of innovative teaching strategies. We will also continue to build our graduate programs for tomorrow’s educational professionals and leaders,” their statement said.

When campus leaders announced the gradual phasing out of undergraduate education programs, they cited both declining enrollment and significant budget cuts as key reasons behind the decision. The school is facing nearly $37 million in cuts over the next nine months, and the College of Education will experience a $6.8 million financial reduction over the next two years. In their statement, Wilcox and Ponticell acknowledged there may still be tough choices ahead to secure USF’s financial future.

“We will continue to work together and with USF leadership to make necessary, but difficult decisions to streamline our operations while maintaining our focus on student success, research and service to our community, and especially our Pre-K through 12 partners,” they wrote. “Financial reduction decisions are never easy, and this year especially has brought complexities and challenges unlike anything we have ever experienced. Through this process, we have listened, and we have learned. As we continue to make responsible decisions in the months to come, we need the support and trust of our community. Together, we can emerge from this challenge stronger and more connected than ever.”