University of Tampa President to Resign in Fall 2026
President Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg will conclude her term as the leader of the University of Tampa in late 2026.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in People
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University of Tampa President Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg will resign at the end of the fall 2026 term for personal reasons. She served as the 11th president of the institution, having assumed the role in June 2024.
Why it matters
The transition marks a leadership change for the university as it continues to advance recent initiatives and infrastructure projects. The Board of Trustees credited Dahlberg with strengthening the school's strategic and financial foundation during her tenure.
The university operates in downtown Tampa and currently prepares for the development of a 153,000-square-foot Science Center scheduled for 2029. The facility is expected to be a five-story structure near the Hillsborough River.
The players
Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg
She serves as the 11th president of the University of Tampa and has overseen significant strategic initiatives since June 2024.
AGB
This is an executive search firm retained by the University of Tampa Board of Trustees to identify a successor for the departing president.
The details
University leadership will be managed by senior executives during the upcoming transition period while the Board of Trustees works with AGB, an executive search firm, to find a replacement. During her time as president, Dahlberg oversaw the implementation of the Spartan Alliance scholarship program, alongside the AI Across the University and Internships for All initiatives.
Timeline
June 2024: Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg began her term as University of Tampa president.
October 2024: Dahlberg discussed her goals for the university in an interview.
End of fall 2026: Dahlberg will conclude her presidency.
2029: New Science Center laboratories are scheduled to open.
Market Landscape
The university transition follows a period of institutional growth that aims to balance new academic initiatives with long-term infrastructure planning. This change positions the school to maintain its current momentum as it manages high-profile capital projects.
Students and faculty can expect daily university operations to continue under current senior leadership during the transition. The search for a new president will likely influence the university's long-term academic and infrastructure priorities as the 2029 Science Center project progresses.
The takeaway
The university remains focused on long-term infrastructure goals, such as the 2029 Science Center, regardless of the transition in top leadership. Prospective students and stakeholders should monitor upcoming board updates regarding the search for a new executive to understand future policy directions.
Further reading
For more on administrative changes at local institutions, see People.
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