Above photo: Dr. Martin Tadlock was named regional chancellor of USF St. Petersburg in an email from USF system President Judy Genshaft after serving as interim regional chancellor since September 2017. Jonah Hinebaugh | The Crow’s Nest
By Tim Fanning
After nearly a year of uncertainty, interim Regional Chancellor Martin Tadlock has been named the head of campus, university officials said.
That’s thanks, in part, to his work in spearheading campus-wide efforts to elevate student success that resulted in a 10 percent point increase in retention rate this year, an important metric in sustaining performance-based funding, USF system President Judy Genshaft said in an email to students and faculty.
“I have also been impressed with his collaborative spirit, working closely with colleagues across the USF system to support USFSP’s campus enhancements,” Genshaft wrote in the email.
Tadlock is the seventh leader of the campus since Genshaft became president in 2000.
Genshaft’s announcement brings some certainty at an uneasy time on the St. Petersburg campus.
She ousted Tadlock’s predecessor, the popular Sophia Wisniewska, last September, and last spring the Legislature abolished USF St. Petersburg’s independent accreditation.
Tadlock, who arrived from Bemidji State University in August 2016 as regional vice chancellor of academic affairs, was named interim regional chancellor after Wisniewska was terminated.
Shortly after the announcement came from Genshaft’s office, Tadlock emailed the USF St. Petersburg student body to express his gratitude for the opportunity.
Genshaft’s administration indicated that the search for a permanent chancellor would begin in the summer or fall of 2018. But there was no indication that Tadlock would be on that list.
Genshaft also touted Tadlock’s continued work on a new 375-bed residence hall, which was recently approved by the USF Board of Trustees.
Tadlock will remain in the position through June 2021, through the consolidation of the three USF campuses.
This is a developing story. Stay with The Crow’s Nest for updates.
See the full emails from Genshaft and Tadlock below:
Dear faculty, staff and students,
Welcome back to what is sure to be another successful academic year across the USF System.
As we move closer to becoming one unified university through consolidated accreditation, stability of leadership is more important than ever. I am pleased to announce that I have named Martin Tadlock as Regional Chancellor for USF St. Petersburg, a role he has agreed to serve through June 2021.
Chancellor Tadlock has made an impressive impact on USFSP, both as the interim leader of the campus and in his prior role as Regional Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs. He spearheaded USFSP’s campus-wide efforts to elevate student success, setting up systems to intervene proactively to address obstacles to student progression. This resulted in a 10 percentage point increase in USFSP’s retention rate this year — an important metric in sustaining our leadership in performance-based funding.
I have also been impressed with his collaborative spirit, working closely with colleagues across the USF System to support USFSP’s campus enhancements, including a new 375-bed residence hall recently approved by the USF Board of Trustees.
Chancellor Tadlock is an important member of the Tampa Bay community, as evidenced by the numerous expressions of support I have received praising his leadership. After speaking with each member of the USF St. Petersburg Campus Board, I am pleased to report that they, too, support this continuity of leadership. I share in their confidence and appreciate Chancellor Tadlock’s continued service to USFSP and to the USF System.
Please join me in congratulating Chancellor Tadlock.
Judy Genshaft
USF System President
Dear students,
It is my pleasure to share with you that USF President Dr. Judy Genshaft has offered me the role of Regional Chancellor of USF St. Petersburg, and I have accepted. To me, there is no higher honor than serving you. I want to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude for your passion and your dedication to making USF St. Petersburg the remarkable institution it is today.
You are the heart of our University and a constant source of inspiration. As you may know, I’ve been at USF St. Petersburg for two years. I’ve seen incredible work that reflects the core of who we are…a student-focused learning community. I’ve seen innovative faculty members bring concepts to life in the classroom and work with students like you to pursue ground-breaking research that expands our understanding of the world. I’ve seen inventive staff members work tirelessly to enhance your experience. And, of course, I’ve watched you step outside your comfort zone to advance and apply knowledge that could one day change your corner of the globe. All of this has made me a better educator and a better person, and I couldn’t be more proud to be a member of the USF St. Petersburg family.
You’ve heard me say many times that we stand on the shoulders of those who come before us. Thank you for allowing me to stand on yours, and I hope I can return the favor. We have a lot of work to do over the next few years and there will be challenges ahead. Together, we’ll continue to build a better, brighter future for USF St. Petersburg.
Regards,
Martin Tadlock
Regional Chancellor
University of South Florida St. Petersburg
