Higher Education | St. Pete Downtown Partnership

The Downtown Partnership’s founding members quietly assembled private Bayboro Harbor land into friendly hands so that when the Florida Legislature was asked to locate a campus, there was prime, waterfront land to offer as a location. Later, the group was instrumental in establishing the university as USF agreed to locate its graduate College of Marine Science in Bayboro Harbor and establish USF St. Petersburg. Since then, we have continued to support research, education, and business through our relationship with the University of South Florida College of Marine Science, USF St. Petersburg, and now St. Petersburg College.

USF’s New St. Pete Chancellor Poses a Question: ‘What are we going to becoem?’

Christian Hardigree, USF St. Petersburg campus's new chancellor, is leaning on her previous experience with the hospitality industry as she settles in.

December 8, 2022

USF students joined university leadership in Tallahassee for USF Day at the Capitol on Feb. 8, 2023

Final state budget provides transformational new funding for USF

USF will receive an increase in operating funds, including $24.3 million for the Environmental & Oceanographic Sciences Research & Teaching facility in St. Pete

June 20, 2023

USF students in the planner-in-residence class speak with Caryn Nesmith, director of community relations at USF St. Petersburg, to help inform the master plan they developed for the St. Petersburg Innovation District.

First planner-in-residence class receives award for collaboration with St. Petersburg Innovation District

First planner-in-residence class receives award for neighborhood master plan in collaboration with St. Petersburg Innovation District.

September 6, 2023

A Goodbye to Regional Chancellor Martin Tadlock

On behalf of St. Petersburg’s downtown business community, we express our sincere appreciation for the role that USF plays in our community through the St. Pete

January 12, 2021

Rainbow flag flowing in the wind with Tropicana Field in the background

St. Pete is abuzz about prospects for redo of The Trop

Tropicana Field remains unchanged, a parking lot around a domed stadium with more in common with Houston’s 1960s-era Astrodome than today’s modern ballparks.

February 2, 2021

SPDP Legislative Talking Points 2021

The Partnership is grateful to work with partners Suskey Consulting, Corcoran Partners and Pinellas County political leaders on urban development in St. Pete.

April 2, 2021

Next Steps for USF St. Petersburg Campus' Academic Clusters

Community leaders joined the Pinellas Legislative Delegation and USF's leadership team to talk about proposed academic clusters for the USF St. Pete campus.

June 30, 2021

People raising their hands in a classroom

Advocating for Higher Education

The Partnership supports USF St. Petersburg, USF College of Marine Science, and St. Petersburg College along with other institutions of higher education.

January 16, 2020

University Of South Florida Now Consolidated

The University of South Florida began operating under a single accreditation for the Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee campuses.

July 7, 2020

Karyna Rosario sitting in a lab with a lab coat and gloves

City of St. Petersburg Supports USF Efforts to Further Enhance Diversity with New Pledge to College of Marine Science

The City of St. Petersburg has contributed $125,000 to the University of South Florida Foundation to help enhance diversity in the ocean sciences.

October 30, 2020

USF St. Petersburg campus walkway with overarching trees and university pole banner

St. Pete 2.0: Understanding the Role of USF’s St. Petersburg Campus in the Community [Survey]

As USF’s St. Pete campus continues to evolve, we want to engage locals & ask your opinion on how the university & business community can strengthen partnerships

December 8, 2020

USF St. Petersburg campus building in sunny weather

St. Pete 2.0: Understanding the Role of USF’s St. Petersburg Campus in the Community [Survey Results]

In this edition of St. Pete 2.0, we asked Catalyst readers and SPDP members to share how the university and business community can strengthen partnerships.

December 31, 2020

Update on Community Relations Position at USF’s St. Petersburg campus

In July, SPDP invested into its Higher Education priority by partnering with the City of St. Pete, the St. Pete Innovation District, & the USF St. Pete campus.

January 4, 2022

USF's Center of Excellence in Environmental & Oceanographic Science

SPDP’s highest legislative priority in 2022 was funding for the Environmental & Oceanographic Sciences Research & Teaching Facility on USF’s St. Pete campus.

April 1, 2022

Mayor Welch Highlights Progress and Priorities After 100 Days in Office

On Friday, Mayor Kenneth T. Welch celebrated his 100th day in office. The milestone is an opportunity for him to reflect, evaluate, and look forward.

April 18, 2022

Kate Tiedemann, Ellen Cotton, and others stand together showcasing financial gifts

Kate Tiedemann, Ellen Cotton give $14 million to enhance USF finance program

USF announces $14m gifts from Kate Tiedemann & Ellen Cotton that will support the USF Muma College of Business’ vision to be a “hub of excellence” in fintech.

April 18, 2022