Parents Claudia and Francisco Vazquez flank son Enzo as he celebrates his acceptance into USF
By Paul Guzzo, University Communications and Marketing
Claudia and Francisco Vazquez always dreamed of providing their three sons with the opportunity to attend a top college close to home, so much so that they were willing to relocate the entire family from New Jersey to Tampa.
Today, that dream is reality 鈥� and their dedication has been recognized.
The Vazquezes have been named 色色研究所鈥檚 2025 Family of the Year, an honor presented annually by the Parent & Family Engagement office to families who embody support, pride and commitment to student success.
Their two oldest, Francisco and Enzo, are now students at USF.
Francisco, the eldest son, is working toward his second master鈥檚 degree in the Vinik Sport & Entertainment Management Program, after earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in marketing and a master鈥檚 in entrepreneurship in applied technologies.
Middle son Enzo is a sophomore business advertising major in the Muma College of Business.
Their mother, Claudia, earned a certificate through Muma programming.
And their youngest son, Ian, a junior at Land O鈥� Lakes High School, is leaning toward becoming a Bull.
鈥淚鈥檓 very proud to be a USF student," Enzo said. 鈥淢y entire family is proud to be Bulls.鈥�
Francisco Vazquez on his graduation day
The family did not choose USF because it was in Tampa. Rather, the parents moved to Tampa after identifying USF as the best university for their children.
鈥淲e had one goal in mind when we decided to come to Florida 鈥� find the best fit for our children鈥檚 college education,鈥� Claudia said. 鈥淎fter touring a few campuses, USF was our family鈥檚 school of choice. We absolutely fell in love with it.鈥�
The Vazquezes first began thinking about Florida when Enzo was in 10th grade, increasing the chances of him getting into a state university.
Their search gained momentum when they learned U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks Florida as the top state for higher education. USF stood out as a leading option, but it wasn鈥檛 until they toured campus that the decision felt clear.
鈥淚t had everything we wanted for our sons,鈥� Claudia said. 鈥淭he campus is beautiful, it offers so many opportunities, and it just keeps getting better every year.鈥�
Her husband, a physician with a keen eye for data, took a more analytical approach.
鈥淗e made spreadsheets that listed the pros and cons of USF and the other Florida universities we looked at,鈥� Francisco Jr. said. 鈥淣o matter how he ranked them, USF was always at the top.鈥�
But the sons still had to get accepted into USF.
鈥淢y husband and I were about to board a plane to Tampa to finalize housing and, while in line to board our plane, Francisco texted us that he got in. Talk about timing. We started screaming and celebrating right there.鈥�
The Vazquez family at a USF Bulls football game
Enzo followed two years later after graduating from Sunlake High School in Land O鈥橪akes.
And even though their parents live nearby, both brothers chose to live on campus.
鈥淯SF is such a big part of our family,鈥� Francisco Jr. said, 鈥渁nd has become a second home for all of us.鈥�
That spirit of belonging is what made the Vazquez family a natural choice for Family of the Year.
鈥淏eing a USF family has given us countless memories and reasons to be proud,鈥� Claudia said. 鈥淚n return, we have encouraged our children to give their best to the university, to represent USF with integrity and to carry the Bull spirit into everything they do.鈥�
The USF Family of the Year is an initiative coordinated by the Parent & Family Engagement office on Tampa campus in time for Family Weekend in the fall. Learn more about the Family of the Year initiative.