For Journalists

Resources for journalists covering stories about the University of South Florida.

Media Contacts

The media relations team in University Communications and Marketing works with journalists on behalf of the University of South Florida to:

  • Coordinate major university announcements
  • Distribute press releases and media advisories
  • Respond to requests for information
  • Facilitate interviews with the USF President or members of the USF Board of Trustees
  • Identify sources for faculty expert interviews
  • Deliver official university statements
  • Handle public records requests from media outlets

Please contact Althea Johnson in UCM for assistance with your story, or select a media contact from one of the areas listed below.

Primary media contact
Althea Johnson, Senior Director of Media Relations
Main: 813-974-1665
Cell: 305-495-0306
[email protected]

USF Health media contact
Cody Hawley, Ph.D., Senior Director
Cell: 860-235-1001
[email protected]

*USF Health consists of the Colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Public Health and Pharmacy.
Additional information may be found at health.usf.edu

USF Athletics media contact
Brian Siegrist, Associate Director of Athletics / Communications
Main: 813-974-4086
[email protected]

University Police media contact
Mike Lavelle, Public Information Representative
Main: 813-974-3568
Cell: 813-255-4520
[email protected] 

Sarasota-Manatee campus media contact
Tressa Presley McLeod, Director of Communications and Marketing
941-359-4612
[email protected]

St. Petersburg campus media contact
Matthew Cimitile, Director of Marketing and Communications
Main: 727-873-4840
[email protected]