By Adam Freeman and Althea Johnson, University Communications and Marketing
The Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the State University System, today unanimously confirmed Moez Limayem (pronounced Mow-ezz Lee-may-yem) as the University of South Florida鈥檚 ninth president.
The USF BOT unanimously approved Moez Limayem in October
Limayem was named sole finalist for the position by the USF Presidential Search Committee in September, and he was unanimously approved by the USF Board of Trustees in October.
Limayem has served as president of the University of North Florida since 2022 and was the Lynn Pippenger Dean of the Muma College of Business at USF for 10 years before taking the role at UNF.
He will start at USF in early 2026.
鈥淚 am humbled and honored by this opportunity,鈥� Limayem said. 鈥淚 am grateful for the hard work of the students, faculty, staff and community leaders who have invested in this university. Together, we will write the 色色研究所鈥檚 next chapter as a national model of excellence that transforms lives and strengthens Florida鈥檚 intellectual, economic and civic landscapes. I am also deeply appreciative of President Rhea Law鈥檚 commitment to elevating USF academically and reputationally. Her impact has strengthened this institution and positioned us for continued excellence.鈥�
Limayem鈥檚 tenure at UNF has resulted in the university reaching significant achievements and milestones. This year, UNF welcomed the largest incoming class of students in its history, reaching its highest overall enrollment since its founding in 1972. With a strategic focus on community engagement and partnerships, UNF also set an institutional record with its first-year student retention rate and produced positive outcomes with job placements, including leading the state for the percentage of bachelor鈥檚 graduates employed in Florida.
Limayem served as the Lynn Pippenger Dean of the USF Muma College of Business for 10 years before being named president at UNF
During his time at UNF, Limayem was recognized by Florida Trend as one of the state鈥檚 500 most influential business leaders, by the Jacksonville Business Journal as an Ultimate CEO and he received an award from the National Academy of Inventors for his many contributions to innovation and invention. Last month, Limayem was inducted into the First Coast Business Hall of Fame and last week, the Tampa Bay Business Journal included him on its list of 鈥淧eople to Watch鈥� for 2026.
While dean at USF, Limayem and his team raised more than $126 million in private donations for the college, including $25 million from Pam and Les Muma in 2014, which at the time was the largest individual gift in the university鈥檚 history. He also led key efforts to enhance career preparation and placement, internships and talent development of students.
鈥淢oez Limayem has an extensive record of academic and executive leadership in higher education,鈥� said Board of Governors Chair Brian Lamb. 鈥淯SF鈥檚 recognition as an AAU institution and continuous climb in national rankings underscores their commitment to improving student outcomes and advancing workforce development in Florida. President Limayem will drive this momentum forward with strong stewardship and vision.鈥�
The Florida Board of Governors unanimously approved Moez Limayem as USF's 9th president during a virtual meeting the morning of UNF's fall commencement ceremonies
During Friday鈥檚 BOG meeting, members expressed their confidence in Limayem鈥檚 leadership.
鈥淛ust an outstanding leader,鈥� said BOG member Ken Jones. 鈥淢oez is going to stand on the shoulders of great people and also do great things and I鈥檓 excited to work with him.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檝e been close to him with his efforts at UNF and working with him very closely. He鈥檚 a wonderful selection and he鈥檒l do a great job and I couldn鈥檛 congratulate him more,鈥� added BOG member Aubrey Edge.
Earlier in his career, Limayem served as the associate dean for research and graduate programs at the University of Arkansas Sam M. Walton College of Business and Edwin & Karlee Bradberry chair in information systems. He earned his MBA and doctorate from the University of Minnesota.
His wife Alya, a UNF faculty member of biology, is a renowned researcher who holds multiple U.S. patents. She was named a Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors last year and was recognized as a 2024 Rising Star of the Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida. The couple has two children.