Christian Hardigree will leave USF St. Pete in November after three years of leadership. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE/USF

Christian Hardigree, the regional chancellor of the USF St. Pete campus, accepted the role of university president at Texas A&M University–Victoria on Friday.

The Texas A&M Board of Regents — which oversees the A&M University System’s 12 universities and associated agencies — unanimously confirmed Hardigree following her selection as the sole finalist for the position on Sept. 18, according to A&M System News.

USF St. Pete spokesperson Matthew Cimitile said the university will share more details about its hunt for an interim regional chancellor in the coming weeks.

Hardigree said leaving USF was a challenging but purposeful decision.

“As much as I love USF, it has been my dream to serve as a university president,” Hardigree said. “I always tell students to follow their dreams, and I felt it was important to model that behavior. When Texas A&M University–Victoria offered me this opportunity, I couldn’t pass it up.”

USF officials said plans are already underway to maintain stability during the transition as Hardigree approaches her last day at the university on Nov. 3.

Related: USF presidential applications close, candidate reviews to start 

President Rhea Law appointed Hardigree to serve as St. Pete’s regional chancellor in July 2022, according to the Tampa Bay Business & Wealth.

The St. Pete and Sarasota-Manatee campuses have their own regional chancellor, while the Tampa campus is led directly by the university president, according to USF. 

For the last three years, Hardigree has overseen the campus’s academic programs, operations, community partnerships and student success initiatives. 

Under her leadership, the campus secured funding for several major initiatives, such as the $34.3 million Environmental and Oceanographic Sciences Research and Teaching Facility and a $7.5 million facility for the Office of Veteran Success, according to a USF News release.  

Hardigree said the position has been one of the “greatest honors” of her career.

“[USF] is an extraordinary place — one where people care about each other, lift each other up and, most importantly, always put our students first,” she said.

Related: USF Sarasota-Manatee to open $6.5M STEM facility by 2027 

At Texas A&M–Victoria, Hardigree will lead the university during a pivotal transition in the university’s history. 

The Victoria campus officially joined the A&M system on Sept. 1 after being transferred from the University of Houston System, according to The Texas Tribune. 

Lawmakers approved the move earlier this year, saying it would align the campus with A&M’s broader focus on research and workforce development in fields like engineering, agriculture and aviation, according to The Texas Tribune.

Hardigree said one of her key goals as president will be to ensure Texas A&M–Victoria’s “smooth” transition into the A&M system while launching new academic programs.

Hardigree said her early priorities include overseeing the rollout of several new academic programs — including aviation and agricultural business degrees planned for fall 2026 and an engineering program expected to launch the following year.

“Making sure we have the right resources in place is critical,” Hardigree said. “Completing that transition and picking up momentum will be key priorities as well.”

Related: USF faculty discuss what a politician as next university president could mean 

While Hardigree’s selection received unanimous support from the Texas A&M Board of Regents, it also drew attention within the state’s political landscape.

State Rep. Brian Harrison criticized language in Hardigree’s past professional materials — including her curriculum vitae and prior administrative work — that referenced diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, according to The Texas Tribune.

However, Texas A&M officials publicly rejected these concerns, according to The Texas Tribune.

The objections were made shortly after Hardigree was named the sole finalist of the search on Sept. 18, according to The Texas Tribune.

Opposition to DEI initiatives has been building in Texas since the state legislature passed  Senate Bill 17 in 2023, which banned DEI offices, mandatory diversity training and diversity statements at public universities effective Jan. 1, 2024, according to The Texas Tribune.

Texas A&M University System Board Chair Robert L. Albritton said applicants were previously asked to submit diversity statements. 

However, he said the requirement is “no longer present” at public universities in Texas following the passage of TX SB17, according to The Texas Tribune. 

Albritton said Hardigree’s focus on students and the expansion of academic programs position her to lead Texas A&M–Victoria, according to a Texas A&M System press statement. 

Hardigree said her experience at USF St. Pete shaped both her career and outlook as a leader, which will guide her as she steps into her role as Texas A&M–Victoria’s president.

She said she intends to remain a “champion” for USF by promoting its programs, mentoring former colleagues and students and continuing to highlight the campus as an example of community-driven education.

“I am grateful for so many things — particularly the support and dedication of a fabulous team,” Hardigree said. “The impact of our collective work will continue to be felt for years to come. Once a Bull, #ForeverABull.”