Senior Leadership
Christian Hardigree, J.D., Regional Chancellor
Christian Hardigree was named regional chancellor of USF's St. Petersburg campus in May 2022. She previously served as the founding dean of the School of Hospitality at Metropolitan State University (MSU) in Denver, which is the third largest and only open-access institution of higher education in Colorado.
At MSU, Hardigree led the transition to a free-standing school and developed/implemented departmental structures, school strategic plan and initiatives, and other deliverables. She secured more than $3,775,000 in external funds to support the school and led faculty through curriculum redesign of six degrees and majors, eight minors and nine certificates.
Prior to her role at MSU, Hardigree served as the founding director and professor of the Michael A. Leven School of Culinary Sustainability and Hospitality at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia. She oversaw more than 260 majors with a total enrollment of more than 1,500 students. She also worked for Parnell & Associates as a senior litigation attorney and partner focusing on employment discrimination, arbitration, mediation and labor-management relations. In 2012, she was selected as a faculty institute senior teaching fellow at University of Nevada Las Vegas, where she also received the Sam and Mary Boyd Distinguished Professor for Service Award in 2011 and the Boyd Distinguished Professor for Teaching Award in 2010.
A researcher and frequent conference presenter, Hardigree received her juris doctorate from Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University and a bachelor of science, cum laude, from William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration at University of Nevada Las Vegas.
Cynthia DeLuca, Vice President for Student Success
With 25+ years of experience prior to joining USF in 2014, Dr. DeLuca provides strategic
vision and leadership for the admissions, career services, enrollment management,
wellness, Innovative Education, undergraduate studies and student affairs functions of Student Success. Working closely with her teams on all campuses, she is committed to developing initiatives
to support the academic, professional, and personal growth of all students for success
at USF and in the future.
Carrie Johnson O'Brion, Regional Associate Vice Chancellor of Communications and Strategic Initiatives
Carrie Johnson O'Brion is the Regional Associate Vice Chancellor of Communications and Strategic Initiatives for USF’s St. Petersburg campus. O'Brion is a longtime St. Petersburg resident and has more than 20 years of experience as a communications professional, including seven years as a reporter and editor with the Tampa Bay Times. Prior to joining USF’s St. Petersburg campus in August 2018, she oversaw internal and external communications for BluePearl Veterinary Partners, a division of Mars Inc. and the country's largest provider of specialty and emergency veterinary care with more than 80 hospitals in 25 states. O'Brion has experience working with executive leadership to develop strategic messaging, creating and implementing company-wide communications plans, overseeing communication platforms and a proven record of management and team building. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Colgate University and a master’s degree in communication from Johns Hopkins University. She is very active in the community and has served as president of the boards of SPCA Tampa Bay and the Phi Beta Kappa Alumni Association of Tampa Bay.
E. Howard Rutherford, Associate Vice President of Development University Advancement
E. Howard Rutherford joined the USF St. Petersburg campus Advancement Team as Associate Vice President after 3 years with the Office of Gift Planning as Senior Director of Development and after 5 years with the College of Marine Science (CMS) as Director of Development. Rutherford assists in leading the facilitation of gifts across the USF St. Petersburg campus. Before returning to USF, Rutherford had a 13-year tenure as President/CEO with The Pier Aquarium d/b/a Marine Exploration Center.
Rutherford is a collaborative, community leader and has held board leadership positions at the local, state and national levels. His abilities in leadership, strategic implementation and working in complex work environments has helped him to build trust both inside and outside the institutions he has represented.
As founding Co-Chair, Rutherford helped to establish the St. Petersburg Science Festival. Currently, he serves as an advisor to the Science Festival Alliance at MIT, an international organization fostering a professional community dedicated to more and better science and technology festivals. Rutherford is also President of the St. Petersburg Sunrise Rotary Club, Vice President of the Suncoast Estate Planning Council and Second Vice President of USF St. Petersburg campus Town and Gown.
Rutherford holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Chemistry from Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL and attended graduate school at USF's College of Marine Science.
Kevin Sheehy, Regional Vice Chancellor for Administration & Financial Services
Sheehy joined USF St. Petersburg in April 2024. He previously worked at the University of Pittsburgh, where he was most recently Assistant Vice Chancellor of Auxiliary Operations and Finance, a position he held since 2007. In this role, he provided oversight of financial operations, including capital projects, budget creation and reporting of Business, Hospitality and Auxiliary Services.
Sheehy began his career at United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS), in Pittsburgh, Pa., working his way up from District Automotive Accountant to Finance Supervisor over seven years. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, and a Master of Business Administration from Waynesburg University in Waynesburg, Pa.
As Regional Vice Chancellor of Administration and Finance, Sheehy serves as the chief financial and operating officer for USF St. Petersburg. He also provides oversight and leadership to multiple units including Financial Services, Resource Management (Budget Office), Purchasing, Facilities Services, Emergency Management, University Police, Parking & Transportation Services and Campus Computing.
Administrative & Financial Services
Thomas Smith, Vice Provost of Academic Affairs
As Vice Provost of Academic Affairs, Thomas Smith serves as a campus liaison to the USF Provost’s Office, providing leadership and vision for academic affairs priorities and how that vision is implemented on the St. Petersburg campus. Working with the other campus deans and stakeholders, Dr. Smith supports the academic units and centers in St. Petersburg and serves on the Regional Chancellor’s cabinet, focusing on communication, collaboration, and ensuring campus connectivity.
Dr. Smith has been at USF St. Petersburg for more than 23 years. A human rights expert, he has published widely on research interests, including international humanitarian law, Turkish politics, and foreign policy. Dr. Smith is also the Campus Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and formerly the Associate Dean of the Judy Genshaft Honors College. He is a co-founder of the St. Petersburg Conference on World Affairs, now a flagship event that attracts thousands each year and serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Florida Holocaust Museum. He earned his undergraduate degree in anthropology from the College of William and Mary and his master's and Ph.D. in foreign affairs from the University of Virginia.