2019-20 WLP Annual Report

Helen Levine retires, leaving a legacy of
growth and transformation at USF’s
St. Petersburg campus
Growing up in a family of intellectuals and
community activists, Helen Levine was taught
early the Jewish value of tikkun olam, which
translates to “repair the world.”
Levine upheld that ideal throughout her
career, working tirelessly to help others.
During her 14 years at the University of South
Florida, she became known as a quick study
who advocated for students and worked quietly
behind the scenes to advance the
university’s growth.
“Helen is just one of those people who always
got it,” said Joel Momberg, who served as CEO
of the USF Foundation before his retirement
in fall 2019. “She is someone who puts her
own agenda aside and looks at what was best
for the students and the university. She is
always the voice of reason and a great
collaborator.”
In September, Levine announced her
retirement from the University of South
Florida. On the St. Petersburg campus, where
Levine spent more than 11 years as the
regional vice chancellor for external affairs,
the news was greeted by a mix of emotions:
gratitude for her many contributions and
sadness at the loss of a devoted campus
champion.
“Her presence on our campus and her
advocacy for the university, the city and
the county has been nothing short of
phenomenal,” said Martin Tadlock, regional
chancellor of USF’s St. Petersburg campus.
“She has helped the university navigate
through some of its most challenging times
and served as my proverbial ‘right arm’ since
I assumed the role of regional chancellor.”
Levine touched a variety of aspects of
university life, including fundraising,
communications and, most notably,
government relations. She divided her time
between St. Petersburg and Tallahassee,
forging strong relationships with legislators
and advocating on behalf of USF and the St.
Petersburg campus. Thanks to her efforts, since
2013, the campus’ recurring budget grew by
more than $8.75 million and it received a fixed
capital outlay of more than $30 million.
Levine helped secure state funding for a
number of key buildings, including the
University Student Center and Lynn Pippenger
Hall. Levine also led the fundraising effort to
create the Debbie Nye Sembler Student Success
Center, a tutoring center that helps students
develop lifelong learning strategies.
Sembler, a long-time supporter of USF, said
Levine kept the project a surprise until a
reception honoring her last meeting as chair
of the USF St. Petersburg Campus Board.
“All of a sudden, I see my mother entering the
room, as well as my mother-in-law and my
husband. It was a total shock,” said Sembler,
who also served on the USF Board of Trustees.
“Helen planned it, orchestrated it and
fundraised to make this happen for me, and
I will never forget that day and the love I felt.”
Levine is a Florida native who left the state and
returned for college. She earned her Ph.D. from
Florida State University and was the lobbyist
and public affairs officer for the Hillsborough
Board of County Commissioners for more than
10 years.
After a stint as the city lobbyist in St. Petersburg
Mayor Rick Baker’s administration, she joined
the university in 2006 as a policy advisor to
then-president Judy Genshaft before moving to
the St. Petersburg campus in 2009.
“Helen improves everything she touches,”
said Melissa Seixas, a member of the USF
St. Petersburg Campus Advisory Board,
Vice President, Florida Government and
Community Relations at Duke Energy
Corporation and chair of the St. Petersburg
Downtown Partnership. -“She has left an
incredible legacy for our community, our
university and our organization.”
To honor Levine’s many years of service to USF,
Debbie Sembler and Chancellor Tadlock led an
effort to establish an endowed scholarship in
the USF Women in Leadership & Philanthropy
program in her name, ensuring Helen’s legacy
of leadership and service to USF and our region
resonates for generations to come.
by Carrie O’Brion
Director of Marketing & Communications
USF St. Petersburg Campus