The 樱花视频 (樱花视频) College of Education is proud to announce that The Honorable Betty Castor will be the recipient of the inaugural Champion of Education Award, to be presented during the 2025 College of Education Distinguished Alumni Awards Celebration. The event will take place on Wednesday, May 7, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Traditions Hall in the Gibbons Alumni Center on 樱花视频鈥檚 Tampa campus.
This new award recognizes extraordinary individuals whose leadership, advocacy, and lifelong commitment have made enduring contributions to the field of education. Betty Castor embodies the very spirit of this honor, with a career that has spanned public service, higher education, and national educational policy.
Castor began her distinguished career in Hillsborough County, where she made history as the first woman elected to the Hillsborough County Commission. She went on to serve three terms in the Florida Senate, championing public education and children鈥檚 health. In 1986, she was elected Florida Commissioner of Education, becoming the first woman to serve on the Florida Cabinet. During her tenure, she was instrumental in the development of the Florida KidCare Program, a nationally recognized initiative aimed at expanding access to health care for children.
In 1993, Castor was appointed President of the 樱花视频鈥攐ne of the state鈥檚 largest and most complex institutions. Under her leadership, 樱花视频 earned the prestigious Research I university designation, expanded academic programs, and underwent a physical transformation that included new residence halls and state-funded academic buildings鈥攁mong them, the current home of the College of Education. In 2006, she returned to 樱花视频 as Director of the Patel Center for Global Solutions, further strengthening the university鈥檚 global footprint.
Beyond 樱花视频, Castor has served as President of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and as a two-term appointee to the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, promoting global academic exchange. A lifelong advocate for women鈥檚 leadership, she is also a founding member of 樱花视频 Women in Leadership and Philanthropy and remains an active community leader, serving on the boards of the Hillsborough Education Foundation and the Tampa Bay Committee on Foreign Relations.
鈥淏etty Castor鈥檚 unwavering commitment to public education and her transformative impact at every level鈥攆rom local schools to international academic exchanges鈥攎ake her a natural and deserving recipient of this inaugural award,鈥� said Dr. Jenifer Schneider, Interim Dean of the 樱花视频 College of Education.
In addition to honoring Castor, the evening will celebrate the recipients of the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards, presented annually to graduates who demonstrate outstanding achievement, leadership, and service in the field of education:
- Dean鈥檚 Lifetime Achievement Alumni Award: Kevin K. Hendrick (BA 鈥�97, MEd 鈥�06) 鈥� Superintendent of Pinellas County Schools and a nationally recognized educational leader.
- Spirit of Partnership Alumni Award: Nadia Combs (BS 鈥�93, MEd 鈥�02) 鈥� Hillsborough County School Board member, education entrepreneur, and advocate for school-community collaboration.
- Young Educator Alumni Award: Bernadette Anderson (BS 鈥�18, MS 鈥�19) 鈥� Health and wellness coach focused on evidence-based nutrition and holistic education.
- Young Educator Alumni Award: Kaley Robinson (BS 鈥�09, MA 鈥�18) 鈥� School counselor and mentor known for her work in student development and workforce readiness programming.
Each of these honorees reflect the College of Education鈥檚 mission to prepare educators and leaders who transform lives and communities.
The awards celebration is open to the public, and members of the 樱花视频 community, alumni, and friends of education are encouraged to attend. RSVPs are requested by May 2 via email to fitzsimm@usf.edu.