USF has a new designation to add to its repertoire: “Innovation and Economic Prosperity University.”
This designation, awarded by the Association of Public & Land-grant Universities (APLU), joins USF with 47 other universities in the country, including UCF — the only other university in Florida to receive the award. Only 18 universities were selected this year.
As an economic force, USF contributes $4.4 billion to the Tampa Bay Area on a $1.5 billion budget.
Part of the application process involved running self-assessments and preparing the university for evaluation by a board of judges outside the university. The distinction aims to decide which universities not only produce monetary gains, but which of those universities have a tangible impact in their community.
USF used a committee of 50 people to go through the Tampa Bay area and conduct research on the economic impact the university has made. The judges were members of other universities and partners of APLU.
Among the other universities given the designation this year were Auburn University, Clemson University and University of Louisville.
