Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 3-22-19

Features
Four Candidates Chosen As Finalists For USF Presidency
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Tuesday, the Univer- sity of South Florida’s Search Committee selected four fi- nalists to fill the vacancy as its 7th president. Dr. Judy Genshaft plans to retire on July 1st.
The finalists are: Dr. Wanda Blanchett, Dr. Steve Currall, Dr. Deba- sish Dutta, and Dr. Jef- frey Vitter.
Dr. Blanchett is the only female and the only African American to advance to the list of finalists. She currently serves as the In- terim Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Rutgers University, New Brunswick.
She is a veteran educator committed to using the re- search expertise and re- sources of universities to enhance overall well-being and opportunities of histori- cally underserved communi- ties.
Dr. Blanchett earned her B. S. E. Degree in Special Education with Emphasis on Mild Disabilities and M. S. E. in Special Education with an Emphasis on Severe/Pro- found Disabilities from the University of Central Arkansas, Conway.
She continued her educa-
DR. WANDA BLANCHETT
DR. DEBASISH DUTTA
tion at The Pennsylvania State University, where she earned a Ph.D. in Special Ed- ucation, where she was also a Holmes Scholar.
Dr. Steve Currall is currently the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Southern Methodist University.
Dr. Debasish (Deba) Dutta is a Distinguished Professor of Engineering & former Chancellor, Rutgers
DR. STEVE CURRALL
DR. JEFFREY VITTER
University, New Brunswick Dr. Jeffrey Vitter is a Distinguished Professor of Computer & Information Sci- ence and former Chancel- lor, University of Mississippi Each finalist has a broad range of academic leadership experience, including at in- stitutions that belong to the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). USF has a well-estab- lished goal of positioning it- self for future membership in the AAU, an invitation-only group of top universities in
the U. S. and Canada.
The candidates will com-
plete a week of visiting cam- puses and will meet with the Board of Trustees on Friday.
5th Annual Children’s Services Community Fair Planned
Parents are invited to learn more about the many community resources avail- able to help them raise strong, healthy families dur- ing Hillsborough County Children’s Services’ 5th An- nual Community Fair.
The fair will take place on Saturday, March 23rd, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Chil- dren’s Services Lake Magda- lene Campus, 3120 Clay Mangum Lane.
The event will features games, live music and other entertainment, face paint- ing, a bounce house and ob- stacle course, free food, and prize drawings. While kids are enjoying the activities, parents and caregivers can visit with experts from more than 50 public, nonprofit, and community agencies about programs and services
that can grow their chil- dren’s emotional, physical, and mental health.
For more information about the Community Fair, call (813) 264-3807. If the fair is canceled due to in- clement weather, it will be held on March 30.
Hillsborough County Children’s Services is com- mitted to providing preven- tion, intervention and regulatory services to youth and families in order for them to be successful, healthy, and self-reliant. Children’s Services provides professional counseling services, support, and men- toring for troubled youth and their families through several programs.
For more information, go to HCFLGov.net/Children, or call (813) 264-3807.
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