USF St. Pete Has a New Leader

Dr. Sophia Wisniewska is the new chancellor of the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Wisniewska, 61, has led Penn State Brandywine for the past eight years. She was tapped from a field of 784 applications, the Tampa Bay Times reports. She replaces Margaret Sullivan, who resigned last summer.

According to the The Tampa Bay Times, Wisniewska said in a phone interview after her appointment was announced Tuesday:

"I think the institution has more of an opportunity to establish its own reputation, its own ranking, and to move forward with developing new programs and new service."

Judy Genshaft, the president of the USF System, announced the appointment on the USF St. Pete website. In an open letter to the USFSP community, she wrote: "I believe Dr. Wisniewska has the experience and vision to continue the tremendous progress we have witnessed at USF St. Petersburg."

The Tampa Bay Times reports that: "She studied Russian and history at Penn State before earning a master's and doctorate in Russian from Bryn Mawr College, as well as a doctorate in second language acquisition."

She will earn $265,000 a year and is expected to serve for five years.