USF Professor Named Finalist for Tech Educator Award

Kaushik Dutta joins two other regional nominees competing for the prestigious Tampa Bay Tech Awards honor.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Distance Learning

Bold vector editorial illustration of a stylized gear and quill pen, representing academic innovation in technology. — University of South Florida vice provost Kaushik Dutta has been selected as a finalist for the Tampa Bay Tech Educator of the Year award. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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University of South Florida vice provost Kaushik Dutta has been named a finalist for the Tech Educator of the Year award. The Tampa Bay Tech Awards organization selected him alongside two other candidates for his contributions to technology education.

Why it matters

The award highlights educators who inspire local student interest in technology careers. By fostering innovation and academic planning, finalists help strengthen the regional workforce pipeline.

Kaushik Dutta brings 22 years of experience in enterprise information technology infrastructure and data analytics to the nomination. He is one of 3 finalists competing for the title of Tech Educator of the Year.

The players

Kaushik Dutta

He is a professor and the vice provost for academic planning and accreditation at the University of South Florida.

Marbin Pazos-Revilla

He is one of the three finalists competing for the Tech Educator of the Year award in Tampa.

Jamie K. Spurrier

She is one of the three finalists competing for the Tech Educator of the Year award in Tampa.

University of South Florida

This is a public research university located in Tampa that employs candidate Kaushik Dutta.

Tampa Bay Tech Awards

This organization hosts an annual ceremony to recognize individuals who impact interest in technology careers.

The details

Dutta currently serves as a professor and the vice provost for academic planning and accreditation at the University of South Florida. His professional background includes mentoring two startups through the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps program.

November 13, 2026: Winners will be announced at the Tampa Bay Tech Awards ceremony.

Culture Shift

The nomination follows Dutta's engagement with the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps program, which supports academic entrepreneurial efforts. This reflects a broader trend of bridging university research with commercial tech development to drive regional economic growth.

Residents in the Tampa area may see increased institutional focus on technology-based career training following the recognition of these educators. This highlights the university's growing role in preparing the local workforce for high-tech industry demands.

The takeaway

Recognizing educators for their contributions to technology serves to encourage students to pursue careers in rapidly evolving digital fields. Prospective students and tech enthusiasts in Tampa should follow the upcoming award announcement to see which academic approaches earn top honors.