Judy Lynn Genshaft (; born January 7, 1948) was President of University of South Florida from 2000 to 2019. She stepped down from the position in July 2019 after a 19-year tenure. Early life and education Genshaft was born and raised in Canton, Ohio, in 1948. Her father, a Russian immigrant, fled to the United States because of conscription. Her mother is a Canton native with family roots in Russia. She graduated from University of Wisconsin at Madison with a Bachelor of Arts in social work and psychology in 1969. She completed her master's degree in 1973 and doctorate in 1975 at Kent State University in school counseling and counseling psychology, respectively. Career Genshaft joined the faculty of Ohio State University in 1976 as an assistant professor in school psychology. She was the chair of the Department of Educational Services and Research at Ohio State from 1987 to 1992, rising to the role of chair of OSU's senate from 1990 to 1991. In 1992, Genshaft became dean of the school of Education at the University at Albany. After a national search and recommended by the search committee, Hitchcock promoted her to Vice President of Academic Affairs. She became the provost at the university at Albany in 1997. President at University of South Florida Genshaft began her tenure as president of USF in July 2000. From 2000 to 2007, USF grew federally-funded research 213 percent, reported to be the fastest rate of any university in the country. She named NFL Hall of Famer Lee Roy Selmon as USF's director of athletics in May 2001. Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, USF professor Sami Al-Arian was interviewed by Fox News commentator Bill O'Reilly regarding his connections to Ramadan Shalah, leader of the Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine. The interview led to bomb threats and the resulting evacuation of a campus building, and in October 2001, Genshaft placed Al-Arian on paid administrative leave and prohibited him from entering USF property, saying she believed his presence would compromise campus security. On Dec. 19, 2001, the USF Board of Trustees voted 12 to 1 in favor of a resolution that President Genshaft act should dismiss Al-Arian "as quickly as university processes will allow." The next day, the university's provost sent Al-Arian an intent to terminate for cause letter. Both the Faculty Senate and the United Faculty of Florida condemned the proposed termination on grounds of