USF Names Jean Kabongo to Lead Sarasota-Manatee Campus During Transition to New College
The University of South Florida has appointed Jean Kabongo as the new leader of its Sarasota-Manatee campus as the university begins the multi-year transition following the campus’s transfer to New College of Florida.
USF President Moez Limayem announced the leadership change in a letter to university employees, naming Kabongo to oversee the campus during the teach-out period that will allow currently enrolled students to complete their degree programs before New College assumes full academic control.
Kabongo currently serves as senior associate dean for academic and faculty affairs and Sarasota-Manatee campus dean for the Muma College of Business. He has led the business college’s Sarasota-Manatee campus since 2020 and will now guide the broader campus through the transition.
Outgoing Interim Regional Chancellor Brett Kemker will remain with the university, focusing on teaching, scholarship, accreditation efforts and dual enrollment programs before returning to the faculty in fall 2027.
The leadership change comes after the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus officially transferred to New College on July 1, marking the start of Florida’s new fiscal year. The transfer followed approval by the Florida Legislature during a special session and shifted ownership of the 32-acre campus, located across Tamiami Trail from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, to New College.
As part of the agreement signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, New College assumed ownership of the campus’s physical assets as well as its legal obligations, including more than $50 million in outstanding debt that must be reflected on the college’s financial records by the end of the year.
The teach-out process is expected to continue for several years, allowing existing USF Sarasota-Manatee students to complete their academic programs while the campus gradually transitions to full operation under New College.
