Missions, Visions, and Values
Mission of the University
The University of Florida is a comprehensive learning institution built on a land-grant foundation. We are The Gator Nation, a diverse community dedicated to excellence in education and research and shaping a better future for Florida, the nation, and the world.
Our mission is to enable our students to lead and influence the next generation and beyond for economic, cultural, and societal benefit.
The University welcomes the full exploration of its intellectual boundaries and supports its faculty and students in the creation of new knowledge and the pursuit of new ideas.
- Teaching is a fundamental purpose of this University at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
- Research and scholarship are integral to the educational process and to the expansion of our understanding of the natural world, the intellect and the senses.
- Service reflects the University's obligation to share the benefits of its research and knowledge for the public good. The University serves the nation's and the state's critical needs by contributing to a well-qualified and broadly diverse citizenry, leadership and workforce.
The University of Florida must create the broadly diverse environment necessary to foster multicultural skills and perspectives in its teaching and research for its students to contribute and succeed in the world of the 21st century.
These three interlocking elements — teaching, research and scholarship, and service — span all the University's academic disciplines and represent the University's commitment to lead and serve the state of Florida, the nation, and the world by pursuing and disseminating new knowledge while building upon the experiences of the past. The University aspires to advance by strengthening the human condition and improving the quality of life.
Vision, Mission, and Values of the Graduate School
Our Vision
To be a model of excellence for supporting and advancing graduate education worldwide
Our Mission
To ensure the integrity and value of graduate education and elevate the overall graduate student experience
Our Core Values
Integrity
Advocacy
Inclusion
Collaboration
Innovation
Graduate School Administration
Nicole L. P. Stedman
Ph.D. (University of Florida), Dean of the Graduate School and Associate Provost
Tom Kelleher
Ph.D. (University of Florida), Associate Dean, Academic Affairs
Judy Traveis
Ph.D. (University of Florida), Associate Dean, Student Affairs
Please find information regarding the Graduate School's current organization of offices and historical information about the previous Deans and history below. For biographical and contact information for the Graduate School's staff, consult the Graduate School Personnel pages on the UF Graduate School's website. For assistance, please reach out using the Graduate School's Contact Form.
Organization
The Graduate School currently consists of the Dean, an Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, an Associate Dean for Student Affairs, the Graduate Council, the Graduate Faculty, and the Graduate School staff. The Graduate School is responsible for establishing, monitoring, and enforcing minimum general standards of graduate study in the University and for coordinating the graduate programs of the various colleges and divisions of the University.
Responsibility for the detailed operation of graduate programs is vested in individual colleges, schools, divisions, and academic units. In most colleges, an associate dean or other administrator is directly responsible for graduate studies in that college.
General policies and standards of the Graduate School are established by the Graduate Faculty as represented by the Graduate Council. Policy changes must be approved by the graduate dean(s) and the Graduate Council. The Graduate Council (chaired by the Graduate Dean) considers graduate education policy and policy changes and the creation of or revisions to graduate degree programs, majors, concentrations, certificates, and other graduate education initiatives. For information regarding appointment to the graduate faculty, please visit https://gradcatalog.ufl.edu/graduate/faculty.
The Graduate School Staff
The Graduate School is organized into the following units: Administration, Data Management, Editorial, Graduate Records, and the Graduate Student Success Center (GSSC), which contains the Offices of Graduate Student Support and Engagement (OGSSE), the Office of Graduate Professional Development (OGPD), the Office of Postdoc Affairs & Prestigious Awards, and the areas of Grad CARE and Graduate Recruitment.
Visit https://grad.ufl.edu/about/contact-us/ for staff listings and contact information.
Graduate School Editorial Office
With staff in Grinter Hall, the Graduate School Editorial Office provides editorial assistance to UF’s graduate students completing the thesis or dissertation process. Students completing a graduate thesis or dissertation must meet all submission deadlines and requirements within the intended term of the degree award. The Editorial Office provides information about format requirements on the editorial page of the Graduate School website to help students prepare their manuscripts for submission to the Graduate School. The office facilitates the thesis and dissertation process by providing clear guidelines and checklists outlining the procedures to follow when completing the thesis or dissertation. This office also prepares, edits, and submits the Graduate School's portion of the Doctoral Commencement Program each semester.
The Editorial Office also assists UF’s graduate faculty, academic unit staff, and administration with revisions to existing and the development of new graduate courses and graduate degree programs by coordinating the efforts of the Graduate Council and the Graduate Curriculum Committee. This office is also tasked with publishing this Graduate Catalog.
For more information, contact the UF Graduate School's Editorial Office by calling (352) 392.1282 or emailing grad-edit@ufl.edu.
Graduate Student Records Office
Graduate Student Records staff work with academic units to support students throughout their graduate careers, including degree certification and graduation. The office is responsible for keeping official graduate student records and ensuring compliance with all Graduate Council and University policies.
Graduate Student Success Center
The Graduate Student Success Center was created with the graduate student at its core. We are here to enhance your graduate student experience by promoting holistic development and creating a community of belonging.
Graduate education is a decentralized model in which your department and, in some cases, your college take a leading role in your academic program. However, the departments cannot do it all; and our focus is on helping to identify and provide support to you so that you can navigate your journey successfully.
The Graduate Student Success Center was established to support potential graduate students, current students, faculty, and staff in the areas of
- Graduate Student Support & Engagement
- Office of Graduate Professional Development
- Graduate Recruitment
- Postdoctoral Affairs & Prestigious Awards
- Grad Care
With any project, we work on, or whomever we are assisting, values frame our efforts. The values that shape our work include
Office of Graduate Student Support and Engagement
Purpose
The Office of Graduate Student Support and Engagement aims to build and sustain an inclusive community that provides comprehensive graduate student support and engagement services to promote academic success, personal development, and social well-being, so our graduates can transform the global economy.
- OGSSE aims to create and nurture a welcoming and inclusive environment that encourages diversity of thought and empowers students to participate in programs that foster inclusion for all graduate students.
- OGSSE strives to provide currently enrolled graduate students with programs and services to assist and support the pursuit of successful graduate education.
- OGSSE provides students with social, informational, referral, and in some cases, financial support.
- OGSSE maintains partnerships with administrative offices, academic units, research centers, student services, and organizations across campus to promote holistic, inclusive excellence in the graduate experience. OGSSE represents the University at a variety of national and regional conferences, as well as visiting and seeking to establish relationships with institutions to attract prospective students
- OGSSE provides prospective and enrolled doctoral students from non-traditional backgrounds with resources and mentoring to help them successfully pursue an excellent graduate education.
Support
OGSSE conducts the Florida Board of Education (BOE) Summer Fellowship Program to assist entering nontraditional doctoral students to become more quickly acclimated to the university setting. OGSSE supports social activities to facilitate student socialization and networking, and professional development activities such as dissertations and other writing groups are offered through OGSSE.
Completion
OGSSE coordinates several funding opportunities to assist nontraditional Ph.D. students to successfully complete their programs. These opportunities include the Supplemental Retention Scholarship Award and Doctoral Support Assistance. For additional information about the Office of Graduate Student Support and Engagement or any of its programs and funding opportunities, please visit OGSSE’s website.
Office of Graduate Professional Development
The Office of Graduate Professional Development (OGPD) in the Graduate Student Success Center provides professional development activities and programs for UF graduate students. These initiatives include providing activities and resources to help students set professional development goals, develop core competencies to successfully complete their graduate degree, and gain the necessary skills to transition into diverse career paths upon graduation.
Initiatives led by OGPD and offered in collaboration with various campus units include weekly professional development workshops, the Writing Program (all terms), Women Lead: Leadership Institute for Early Career Scholars, Preparing Future Faculty, 3 Minute Thesis competition, New Student Orientation, New TA Orientation, and the Job Search Series.
Office of Postdoc Affairs & Prestigious Awards
This office provides direction to the Post-Doctoral Affairs Office and will develop and lead programmatic aspects of post-doctoral education, including oversight of individual development plans, human resource needs, and liaison with Graduate School staff in creating and supporting professional development needs. Additionally, this office will bring fellowship expertise to the Graduate School, colleges and other offices, areas on and off campus, and our population of predoctoral scholars and graduate students. This includes creating and maintaining active lists of funding opportunities for graduate students, as well as providing assistance in the completion of award packets.
Graduate Student Recruitment
The Associate Director of Graduate Recruitment is an important professional member of the Graduate School’s Graduate Student Success Center. This position is responsible for assisting and advising graduate programs on ways to increase domestic and international graduate student enrollment. The Associate Director is responsible for the management of Slate and Salesforce/CRM. Additionally, creation of strategic communications, event modules, and marketing materials. Work is performed with considerable independence under the supervision of the Associate Dean, Graduate Student Affairs.
Grad CARE
In collaboration with the UF Graduate School and UF Student Life, the Assistant Director for Care is a non-clinical case manager role designed to help graduate students overcome challenges that may impact their personal and academic success at the University of Florida. The Assistant Director for Care (1) is a primary contact for inquiries from graduate students, faculty, staff, and families to support graduate student issues related to distress, crisis and mental health concerns; (2) supports graduate students experiencing distress/mental health issues and/or going through the medical withdrawal process, with a focus on prioritizing issues and coordinating UF and community resources in order to maximize the graduate student’s success (includes significant work with families, faculty, staff, and other affected individuals); (3) is a facilitator of problem solving who hears concerns, interprets policies and procedures, makes appropriate referrals, assists graduate students and others with the understanding of an array of resolution options, and weighs the consequences of a variety of decisions; and (4) is a facilitator of problem solving who hears concerns, interprets policies and procedures, to make appropriate courses of action to aid student’s understanding of Medical Petition process through Dean of Students Office (DSO) and the UF Graduate School; (5) coordinates, develops, and presents educational content and outreach programs through multiple platforms to the University community focused on graduate student development, health, and wellbeing. This Assistant Director also serves as an on-call staff member in the office during business hours and after hours as needed and performs other duties as assigned.
Announcements of events hosted by the Graduate Student Success Center and the deadlines for all award programs are made through the graduate student listserv. For more information, visit the website at https://grad.ufl.edu/gss/gssc/ or email gradschool@aa.ufl.edu.
Graduate Council (2023-2024)
The Graduate Council, chaired by the Dean, is a joint committee of the President and Faculty Senate. The Council establishes general policies and standards of the Graduate School and assists the dean of the Graduate School in the execution of policies related to graduate study and associated research. The Graduate School staff provides support to the council by reviewing and editing all proposals submitted by administrative and/or academic units to ensure they comply with Graduate Council policy.
The Graduate Council consists of twelve members of the Graduate Faculty, a graduate student elected by the Graduate Student Council, and the Dean of the Graduate School. Six of the twelve faculty members of the Graduate Council are elected by the Graduate Faculty for overlapping terms of three years.
Nicole L. P. Stedman, Chair
Dean of the Graduate School and Associate Provost
Members Appointed by the Provost:
Dr. James "J.C." Bunch
Department of Agricultural Education and Communication
Dr. Hitomi Greenslet
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Dr. Kristin Larsen
Department of Urban and Regional Planning
Dr. K. Ramesh Reddy
Department of Soil and Water Science
Dr. Aner Sela
Department of Marketing
Dr. Joni Williams Splet
School of Special Education, School Psychology and Early Childhood Studies
Members Elected by Graduate Faculty:
Dr. Linda Bloom
Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dr. James Essegbey
Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Dr. Michael D. Martinez
Department of Political Science
Dr. Corene Matyas
Department of Geography
Dr. Connie J. Mulligan
Department of Anthropology
Dr. Marta Wayne
Department of Biology
Graduate Student Council Representative:
Kevin Senior
Department of Pediatrics
History
Graduate study at UF existed while the University was still on its Lake City campus. However, the first graduate degrees, two Master of Arts with a major in English, were awarded on the Gainesville campus in 1906. The first Master of Science was awarded in 1908, with a major in entomology. The first programs leading to the Ph.D. were approved in 1930, and the first degrees were awarded in 1934, one with a major in chemistry and the other with a major in pharmacy. The first Ed.D. was awarded in 1948. Graduate study has grown phenomenally at UF. In 1930, 33 degrees were awarded in 12 fields. In 1940, 66 degrees were awarded in 16 fields. Over the 2021-2022 academic year, UF awarded 6,278 graduate degrees in more than 196 fields, including 1096 Ph.D. degrees.
UF Graduate School Deans and Years of Service
| Years of Service | Graduate Deans |
|---|---|
| June 2021 to Present | Nicole L. P. Stedman, Dean |
| May 2007 to May 2021 | Henry T. Frierson, Dean |
| 2004-2007 | Kenneth J. Gerhardt, Interim Dean |
| 1999-2004 | Winfred M. Phillips, Dean |
| 1998-1999 | M. Jack Ohanian, Interim Dean |
| 1993-1998 | Karen A. Holbrook, Dean |
| July-September 1993 | Gene W. Hemp, Acting Dean |
| 1985-1993 | Madelyn M. Lockhart, Dean |
| 1983-1985 | Donald R. Price, Acting Dean |
| September 1982-January 1983 | Gene W. Hemp, Acting Dean |
| 1980-1982 | Francis G. Stehli, Dean |
| 1979-1980 | F. Michael Wahl, Acting Dean |
| 1973-1979 | Harry H. Sisler, Dean |
| 1971-1973 | Alex G. Smith, Acting Dean |
| 1969-1971 | Harold P. Hanson, Dean |
| 1952-1969 | L. E. Grinter, Dean |
| 1951-1952 | C. F. Byers, Acting Dean |
| 1938-1951 | T. M. Simpson, Dean |
| 1930-1938 | James N. Anderson, Dean |
Governance of the University
Florida State Board of Education
The Department of Education is here to increase the proficiency of all students within one seamless, efficient system by providing them with the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills through learning opportunities and research valued by students, parents, and communities and to maintain an accountability system that measures student progress.
Ben Gibson, Chair
Ryan Petty, Vice Chair
Monesia Brown
Esther Byrd
Grazie P. Christie
Kelly Garcia
MaryLynn Magar
Florida Board of Governors
The Board of Governors is comprised of seventeen members, fourteen of whom are appointed by the Florida Governor and confirmed by the Florida Senate for a term of seven years. The remaining members include the Chair of the Advisory Council of Faculty Senates, the Commissioner of Education, and the Chair of the Florida Student Association. The Board oversees the operation and management of the Florida public university system’s twelve institutions.
Manny Diaz, Jr., Commissioner of Education
Appointed June 1, 2022
Brian Lamb, Chair
March 29, 2019 – January 6, 2026
Eric Silagy, Vice-Chair
March 29, 2019 – January 6, 2026
Members:
Timothy M. Cerio
Aubrey Edge
Patricia Frost
Edward Haddock
Jack Hitchcock
Ken Jones
Darlene Luccio Jordan
Alan Levine
Charles H. Lydecker
Craig Mateer
Deanna Michael
Jose Olivia
Steven M. Scott
Kent Stermon
Contact a member of the Board of Governors:
Board of Governors
State University System of Florida
325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1614
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400
University of Florida Board of Trustees
The UF Board of Trustees is the public body corporate of the University. It sets policy for the institution, and serves as the institution's legal owner and final authority. The UF Board of Trustees holds the institution's resources in trust and is responsible for their efficient and effective use. The UF Board of Trustees consists of six citizen members appointed by the Governor and five citizen members appointed by the Board of Governors. The Chair of the Faculty Senate and the President of the Student Body are also voting members.
Morteza “Mori” Hosseini, Chair
David L. Brandon
Richard P. Cole
Christopher T. Corr
Olivia E. Green
James W. Heavener
Lauren D. Lemasters
Daniel T. O'Keefe
Rahul Patel
Amanda J. Phalin
Marsha D. Powers
Fred S. Ridley
Patrick O. Zalupski
Anita G. Zucker
University of Florida President and Vice Presidents
Ben Sasse, Ph.D.
President of the University
J. Scott Angle, Ph.D.
Provost, Academic Affairs
Melissa Curry, M.A.E.
Interim VP, Human Resources
Dan Dillon Jr.
Vice President for Marketing and Senior Advisor
Elias G. Eldayrie, M.B.A.
Vice President and CIO
Amy M. Hass, J.D.
Vice President and General Counsel
Mark Kaplan, J.D.
Vice President for Government and Community Relations
James J. Kelly, Jr., Master of Accounting
Interim CEO, UF Health Shands
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, UF Health Shands
Dave Kratzer, M.S.
Senior Vice President for Construction, Facilities, and Auxiliary Operations
Charlie Lane, D.Sc.
Senior Vice President and COO
Cydney McGlothlin
Assistant Vice President for Planning, Design and Construction
Maria Gutierrez Martin
Interim Vice President, Advancement
David R. Nelson, M.D.
Senior Vice President for Health Affairs
David P. Norton, Ph.D.
Vice President, Research
Steve Orlando, M.A.M.C.
Interim Vice President for Strategic Communications and Marketing
Mary Parker, Ed.D.
Vice President and Associate Provost, Enrollment Management
Curtis Reynolds, M.S.E.E and M.B.A
Vice President, Business Affairs
Dr. Penny Schwinn, Ph.D.
Vice President for PK-12 and Pre-Bachelors Programs
Heather White, Ed.D.
Vice President for Student Life
University of Florida Deans
Chimay Anumba, Ph.D., D.Sc., P.E.
Dean, College of Design, Construction and Planning
Hub Brown, M.A.
Dean, College of Journalism and Communications
Isabel Garcia, D.D.S., M.P.H.
Dean, College of Dentistry
Robert Gilbert, Ph.D.
Dean for Research, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
Glenn Good, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Education
Shakira Henderson, Ph.D., D.N.P., M.S., M.P.H., EMBA, RNC-NIC, IBCLC
Dean, College of Nursing
Colleen Koch, M.D., M.S., M.B.A.
Dean, College of Medicine
Forrest J. Masters, Ph.D.
Dean, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering
Saby Mitra, D.B.A.
Dean, Warrington College of Business Administration
Michael B. Reid, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Health and Human Performance
David E. Richardson, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Laura Rosenbury, J.D.
Dean, Levin College of Law
Judith Russell, M.S.
Dean, University Libraries
Jennifer Setlow, M.F.A.
Interim Dean, College of the Arts
Nicole L. P. Stedman, Ph.D.
Dean of the Graduate School and Associate Provost
Christopher Summerlin. Ph.D.
Dean of Students
Peter W. Swann, Ph.D., M. Pharm.
Dean, College of Pharmacy
Elaine Turner, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
Beth A. Virnig, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Dean, College of Public Health and Health Professions
Marta Wayne, Ph.D.
Dean of the International Center and Associate Provost
Dana N. Zimmel, D.V.M., D.A.C.V.I.M
Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine