University of Tampa Names Harris Pastides Interim President
The former University of South Carolina leader steps in following the sudden resignation of Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in People
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Harris Pastides has been appointed as the interim president of the University of Tampa. He takes over following the departure of Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg, who resigned from the role for personal reasons.
Why it matters
The leadership change arrives during a period of expansion for the institution as it navigates a transition following Dahlberg's brief tenure. The university has initiated a formal search for a permanent successor to ensure long-term stability.
The university is currently developing an 11-story residence hall, which will add 833 beds to its campus capacity by fall 2028. This follows the long tenure of former president Ronald L. Vaughn, who served for three decades.
The players
Harris Pastides
He is a former university leader who twice held the top executive role at the University of South Carolina.
Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg
She is the former president of the University of Tampa whose tenure concluded after she resigned for personal reasons.
AGB
This executive search firm was retained by the board of trustees to assist in the recruitment of a permanent president.
The details
Pastides, who previously led the University of South Carolina across two separate stints, will manage the university for the remainder of the fall semester. Trustees have retained executive search firm AGB to secure a permanent replacement for Dahlberg.
Timeline
Harris Pastides led the University of South Carolina from 2008 to 2019.
Pastides served a second term as interim president at South Carolina from 2021 to 2022.
Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg took office at the University of Tampa on June 1, 2024.
Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg announced her resignation on October 16, 2026.
The new 11-story residence hall is scheduled to open in fall 2028.
Market Landscape
The search for a new president marks a significant transition following the 30-year presidency of Ronald L. Vaughn, which set a long-standing cultural baseline for the campus. This change forces the university to define its strategic direction against the backdrop of recent administrative turnover.
Students and faculty can expect a transition period as the interim leadership settles into the role. The ongoing construction of the new residence hall remains a key project for the community to monitor through the end of the decade.
The takeaway
Leadership transitions are often critical inflection points for campus culture and long-term capital projects. Stakeholders should pay close attention to future board announcements regarding the permanent presidential search timeline.
Further reading
For more information on administrative changes, visit the Tampa People section.
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