University of Tampa names former South Carolina leader interim president

The University of Tampa has named former University of South Carolina President Harris Pastides interim president, a week after announcing President Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg’s resignation.

Pastides, South Carolina’s president emeritus, will use the remainder of the fall semester to transition into the role, UTampa says in a Friday afternoon announcement. He led South Carolina from 2008 to 2019 and returned as interim president from 2021 to 2022. He’ll now lead the school while UTampa trustees seek a permanent leader to replace Dahlberg. 

Dahlberg, who took office June 1, 2024, announced Oct. 16 that she would depart at the end of the fall semester for personal reasons. The university has retained higher education executive search firm AGB to help find her successor.

“Harris brings a remarkable record of presidential leadership, a deep commitment to academic excellence and a genuine understanding of what makes universities thrive,” James Eyer, chair of UTampa’s board of trustees, says in the announcement. “His experience, judgment and ability to connect with people make him particularly well-suited to lead UTampa during this important transition.”

During his 11-year presidency at South Carolina, Pastides led an eight-institution university system, oversaw growth in research funding and helped complete a capital campaign that raised more than $1 billion, the release says. He arrives as UTampa continues expanding its campus. The private university announced plans earlier this year for its largest residence hall, an 11-story, 833-bed building one block south of campus scheduled to open in fall 2028.

The leadership change also follows a comparatively brief presidency for Dahlberg, who succeeded Ronald L. Vaughn after he spent nearly three decades leading the university. 

“My focus will be on listening, building on the university’s considerable strengths, and working together to sustain its momentum and position it for continued success,” Pastides says in the release.

A first-generation college graduate, Pastides earned his bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Albany as well as advanced degrees from Yale University and a doctorate in epidemiology. Before becoming South Carolina’s president, he served as dean of its Arnold School of Public Health and held senior research and health sciences leadership positions.

His background also includes serving as chair of the Southeastern Conference and the NCAA Division I Board of Directors, the release says.

UTampa plans to arrange opportunities for students, employees, alumni and Tampa Bay community members to meet Pastides as he assumes the role, the release says.