University President Rhea Law announced her plans to step down from her role during a tumultuous time in higher education.

Law clarified she will stay in her role as president until a successor has been chosen.

Related: USF President Rhea Law plans to step down

With politics taking on a greater role in education at a state and national level, she said in a press conference those factors did not impact her decision to step down as president.

Political Science Professor J. Edwin Benton, who has taught at USF for 46 years, said Law’s announcement isn’t the best timing with the 2025 legislative session starting on March 4. 

However, Benton added there is no good time to lose a president.

“It’s like losing your star quarterback at the end of the Super Bowl,” Benton said.

He said the legislature may not take Law as seriously when USF lobbies for funding since she is on her way out.

State

At the state level, former politicians have stepped into more leadership roles at universities and colleges, opening the door for a legislator to possibly step into Law’s shoes.

Though Benton said he can’t be sure who will take over after Law, he said there has been a recent trend in the state. 

“The history here in Florida is to go for politicians, usually,” Benton said. “I call them local yokels.”

Law said having former politicians is not a “bad thing” if they are knowledgeable about the university community and how to navigate challenges.

“I would just ask that as we start this search that everyone critically looks at the capabilities of an individual to determine who is the best fit,” Law said in the press conference.

Benton disagrees. He said though there can be advantages to having a former legislator serve as university president, many academics don’t agree with those picks.

“[Politicians] know the ropes of the legislature. They know the people. They can get things done,” he said. “But I think most U.S. academics prefer someone who’s a pure academic, as opposed to a politician.”

But Benton did say former politician and USF’s fifth president, Betty Castor, executed her role well, despite serving as a state senator for 10 years.

Benton said those who have a background in academics have a “connection” with faculty. He said professors feel “nervous” when someone comes in outside of the “ranks.”

Related: USF faculty struggle to secure pay increases as Law is recommended for $282K raise

Aubrey Jewett is the assistant director of the School of Politics, Security and International Affairs at the University of Central Florida. Jewett said there’s a “50/50” chance a former legislator is chosen for Law’s role at USF. 

“It’ll be interesting to see whether USF truly has an impartial national search or whether an ally of the governor is quickly selected,” Jewett said. 

Recent appointments in Florida include New College of Florida President Richard Corcoran, a former state house speaker, and former University of Florida President Ben Sasse, a Republican senator from Nebraska. 

Within the last month, the Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees selected former Florida House of Representatives member Adam Hasner as university president. Hasner still has to be confirmed by the Board of Governors.

At Florida International University, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez was chosen to be interim president at the request of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office.

Federal

Meanwhile, at the federal level, there has been uncertainty over the possible dismantling of the Department of Education.

The agency is in charge of federal educational policies as well as federal student aid. President Donald Trump has made it a goal to shutter the department. 

Related: Panel at USF discusses Trump’s pledge to end the Department of Education

However, Law said that was not a consideration when deciding to step down.

“As it relates to the things in Washington or in any other place that affect us, we have a whole team of people that review that to determine what the impacts are,” she said in the press conference.

Recent federal research cuts are also set to impact USF. A new policy from the National Institutes of Health will cause budget cuts to overhead research costs, such as building and equipment maintenance and some staff salaries. 

“USF leadership is engaged in discussions at the federal government level, with colleagues in higher education and the private sector to assess potential effects on our research enterprise,” the university said in an updates page. 

Related: USF researchers face uncertainty over NIH grant reductions

Jewett said Law’s announcement shouldn’t have much of an impact on grants. He said universities like USF have specific administrators working on grant applications and changes. 

Benton said Law’s announcement, along with changes at the state and federal level, have created an air of uncertainty at USF.

“No one likes the position of not knowing who your next leader is going to be or how effective she can be,” he said.